Western MPs ask Kibaki for bigger share of national pie

By NATION REPORTER

Posted Thursday, February 10 2011 at 22:08

The controversial nominations to four constitutional offices and suspension of Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula dominated a meeting between President Kibaki and western Kenya MPs.

But some MPs boycotted the talks at the President’s Harambee House office on grounds that its agenda was suspect.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet ministers Wycliffe Oparanya, Fred Gumo, Paul Otuoma and MPs Boni Khalwale, Ababu Namwamba and Chris Okemo did not attend.

They claimed the meeting was intended to convince them to support the controversial nominations.

“I am aware of the meeting, but I’m not party to it. I don’t know how it was called and what its agenda is. I only gather that it may have something to do with the discontent down there (Western Province) over the nominations,” Mr Mudavadi said.

Those at the meeting said they asked the President to appoint more people from the province to top government positions.

The delegation was led by ministers Noah Wekesa and Soita Shitanda and comprised MPs Bifwoli Wakoli, Wetang’ula, Eugene Wamalwa, Eseli Simiyu, Musikari Kombo, Alfred Sambu, Cyrus Jirongo, Evans Akula and Wilbur Otichillo.

“We expressed our displeasure with the way the issue of nominations was being handled. We feel that we have a sizeable constituency which must be accommodated in the nominations,” Dr Eseli said.

The President is said to have promised to consider nominees from the region in future appointments.

The meeting came only hours before two parliamentary departmental committees gave their verdict on the nominations to the offices of Chief Justice, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions and Controller of Budget.

However, the teams later asked for more time and were given up to Tuesday by Speaker Kenneth Marende.