PCs to lose jobs under the new law, says Raila

Eric Wainaina | NATION Prime Minister Raila Odinga with former freedom fighter Peter Kihara Young and his wife Josephine Wanjiru Kihara when the PM visited Mr Young, who is suffering from cancer, at Matuguta village in Githunguri on Sunday. By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, September 19 2010 at 22:00
In Summary

Politicians and civil society deeply divided over role of the old administration

The debate on the future of the provincial administration took a new twist on Sunday after Prime Minister Raila Odinga said there were no positions for provincial commissioners, district commissioners and district officers under the new Constitution.

The PM, however, said that the administrators currently in office will not be sacked but will get new posts in the newly-created counties.

He said that the administrators will be needed any more since provinces had been abolished and government systems will be operated through counties.

The PM was speaking at ACK St John’s Church in Kanjai, Githunguri before visiting Mr Peter Kihara Young, a friend and a freedom fighter who is suffering from cancer in Matuguta village.

Other politicians, the clergy and civil society were at the weekend divided on the fate of the provincial administrators under the new Constitution.

Retired president Daniel arap Moi reiterated the need to retain the administration, saying it was necessary for stability and security.

He said county governors were likely to favour members of their political parties, unlike DCs and other government officers.

Mr Moi was speaking in Buret at the burial of Mr Philemon Barsumei, a prominent elder in the area.

In Mbita, Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ said he has no apologies over his call for DCs and PCs to pack up and leave.

Assistant minister Cecily Mbarire called for the retention of the provincial administrators.

DOs should be retained

“Those serving as PCs, DCs and DOs should be retained,” she said in Runyenjes.

In Mukurwe-ini, assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando said every implementation phase of the new constitution must be inclusive.

“The current crop of politicians cannot exclusively shape the future. Parliament must be consulted at all levels,” he said.

In Kabaa, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said the administration will not be abolished but restructured.

In Nairobi, lobby groups insisted the administrators should go, saying they represented the country’s dark past of oppression and impunity.

National Civil Society Congress president Morris Odhiambo blamed the administrators for cases of land grabbing and ethnic clashes.

“We all know the massive land grabbing and incitement of tribal clashes perpetrated by the officers,” he said.

In Naivasha, MPs Eugene Wamalwa and Musikari Kombo said the debate was premature. “Ministers are sending the wrong signals with their conflicting statements,” Mr Wamalwa said.

Reported by Geoffrey Rono, Lucas Barasa, Casper Waithaka, Macharia Mwangi, Michael Kaluoch, Erick Ngobilo, Barnabas Bii and Wainaina wa Ndung’u