RAILA SHUFFLES HIS OFFICE

Wednesday, 29 June 2011 14:09 BY STAR REPORTER

CO-ORDINATOR: Caroli Omondi at a past parliamnetary committee meeting

 PRIME Minister Raila Odinga has assigned new responsibilities to some of his staff before flying Germany for a medical check up. His former Chief of Staff Caroli Omondi will be co-coordinating ministries while some of his previous duties have been given to former Western province PC Abdul Mwasera who is presently the Administration Secretary in the office of the Prime Minister.
Omondi has been very influential in the Office of the Prime Minister but his influence will now be somewhat reduced as he no longer holds an administrative docket. The reshuffle is part of Raila's wider plan to reorganize his team and rebuild political support across the country.
Mwasera used to work at the Ministry of Housing but replaced Andrew Mondoh at the PM's office when Mondoh was made PS for Special programmes. "The changes are meant to inject fresh thinking and to allow Omondi to concentrate on other responsibilities," said a source familiar with the changes.
The PM is reportedly planning further changes in his office that could be implemented when he returns home from Europe in two weeks. "There  is a strong push to have new, more friendly and youthful leadership around the PM and at the party level. In the few weeks you will see these changes executed," said an ODM minister.
 Ministers close to Raila say the plan is to get people who can build bridges across the political divide and help the PM rebuild party support before the 2012 election.
Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, one of the new breed of ODM leaders, is earmarked for a key position in the party while Roads minister Franklin Bett could replace former minister Henry Kosgey if the Tinderet MP decides to quit the chairmanship of ODM.
Tourism minister Najib Balala who recently reconciled with Raila is earmarked for a national position together with his East African Community colleague Amason Kingi and Kisauni MP Hassan Joho.
ODM will give to the Kisii area the position of National Treasurer that has remained vacant since the departure of former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara.
Co-operative Development minister Joe Nyagah is slated to take over from William Ruto as ODM Deputy Leader in a bid to reach out to parts of central Eastern regions. Raila's team is also scouting for a serious point-man from Meru to help popularize the party. In the last few weeks Igembe MP Mithika Linturi has hosted the PM twice together with former MP Maoka Maore who has ditched Kanu for ODM.
"The Prime Minister has the discretion to reassign any of his staff duties," said the PS in the PM's office, Mohammed Isahakia, adding that the changes have not been communicated officially.
Raila flew to Germany on Monday night for an eye check up. Later he will go to the United Kingdom for several meetings including one with Prince Charles.
In Germany he will attend a dinner organized for him by former schoolmates in Berlin. Raila is accompanied by her wife Ida Odinga and his personal doctors. “He will be back on July 7 to embark on serious domestic issues and countywide tours, “said a source in his delegation.
Multiple sources say the PM will be  holding rallies in areas which have traditionally supported him and will also venture to Central and Eastern regions. "You can see Charity Ngilu is back. She is laying ground for the PM 's planned tours of Ukambani," said a minister.
Kasipul Kabondo MP Joseph Magwanga yesterday said that it was important for the PM to now relieve himself of some government responsibilities. “He has done his best in government work. Now it is time for him to spare his diary for political responsibility,” Magwanga said.