Sunday, November 4, 2012

Mutula adamant Kibaki handed Kalonzo a raw deal


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PHOTO | FILE Mr Mutula Kilonzo, the WDM secretary-general, speaks to the media at a past press conference.
PHOTO | FILE Mr Mutula Kilonzo, the WDM secretary-general, speaks to the media at a past press conference. He said the party was unhappy with the “third opinion” treatment accorded to Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka within the G7 alliance, saying it was an indication the party may be shortchanged yet again in pre-election coalitions.  NATION MEDIA GROUP
By ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, November 4  2012 at  00:30
IN SUMMARY
  • It has emerged that ODM-K, which is now WDM, was expecting more seats in the Kibaki Cabinet, but was given only two slots
  • In the deal, Mr Musyoka became the VP while the then ODM-K chairman Samuel Poghisio was named Information minister
  • Details of the coalition agreement seen by the Sunday Nation indicate that there was an agreement to share government positions on the basis of parties’ parliamentary strength
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Wiper Democratic Movement’s secretary-general Mutula Kilonzo on Saturday again charged that Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka was shortchanged in the PNU coalition as secrets of the post-election power-sharing deal continue to emerge.
Mr Kilonzo also warned that the party was unhappy with the “third opinion” treatment accorded to the VP within the G7 alliance, saying it was an indication the party may be shortchanged yet again in ongoing plans to create pre-election coalitions.
Only two slots
It has emerged that ODM-K, which is now WDM, was expecting more seats in the Kibaki Cabinet, but was given only two slots.
In the deal, Mr Musyoka became the VP while the then ODM-K chairman Samuel Poghisio was named Information minister.
However, what “shocked” members of Mr Musyoka’s party was that Kanu, which had won fewer parliamentary seats (14 compared to Wiper’s 17), got three slots.
Its chairman Uhuru Kenyatta became minister for Local Government, Taveta MP Naomi Shaaban was named Special Programmes minister while Prof Sam Ongeri became Education minister.
“It is true that we did not get what we wanted in the Cabinet after we agreed to join PNU,” Mr Kilonzo, who is now Education minister, said.
He, however, said that WDM is not interested in blaming President Kibaki over the Cabinet deal but added that recent statements by Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama regarding the matter should not be taken lightly.
The Mbooni MP also warned members of the G7 alliance against trying to humiliate or discredit the VP.
“Any politician who thinks that Kalonzo is a political doormat for them to step on will be in for a rude shock very soon. If they think they can use and dump us at will, then they better think twice,” he said.
Details of the coalition agreement seen by the Sunday Nation indicate that there was an agreement to share government positions on the basis of parties’ parliamentary strength.
But a day after the negotiators seconded by ODM-K and PNU signed an agreement that was later taken to the President on January 8, 2008, Mr Kibaki responded in a manner that astonished the Musyoka group.
Senior ODM-K MPs, including Mwingi South MP David Musila and Mr Kilonzo who were automatically expected in the first 17-member Cabinet, were left out.
“The President holds the power of organisation in accordance with any agreements between PNU, ODM-K and Kanu. In doing such organisation, the President has the power to, and as far as possible will, ensure that coalition parties are accommodated and included in ministries, parastatals, commissions and parliamentary committees,” the agreement reads.
Mr Musila and Mr Muthama represented Mr Musyoka in the negotiations while President Kibaki was represented by Mr Amos Kimunya and the late John Michuki.
The agreement further stated: “The right of nomination of permanent secretaries and parastatal heads will be done proportionately and in consultation.”
On Saturday, Mr Musila said that the agreement was not detailed.
“The only clear thing was to have Kalonzo named the VP and that was done as agreed. On Cabinet, we really didn’t agree on a definite number so we can’t say we were shortchanged,” he said.
“Most of us were shell-shocked when the expected names had been excluded and our party relegated over Kanu,” said a WDM MP who asked not to be named.
The PNU coalition agreement, which was endorsed by 98 MPs, also committed member parties to voting together in Parliament and Cabinet.

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