A section of MPs have defended President Kibaki’s controversial appointment to key public posts and dared critics to meet them in Parliament during vetting.
In a news conference in Nairobi yesterday, 16 MPs accused Prime Minister Raila Odinga of misleading Kenyans by claiming he was not consulted before the appointments were made.
"We are aware there have been extensive consultations between the President and the Premier over the last few weeks. For him to turn around and claim the appointments have been made to serve the interests of a few people borders on incitement of the public," said Mathira MP Ephraim Maina, who read the statement.
They said on Friday, Lands Minister and Raila ally James Orengo released the names of the four appointees before the Presidential Press Service had even issued an official press statement.
"If it is true the President had not consulted with the PM, how come Orengo knew the appointees’ details and names?" they asked.
They accused the PM of trying to "create a crisis where none exists" and turning the issue into a contest between him and the President.
‘Wait for debate in House’
"The PM has formed the habit of alleging that he has not been consulted, including the Kenyan request to the African Union members to support its request for the ICC matter to be deferred," they said.
The MPs also insisted all the appointees have the necessary qualifications and experience to carry out their mandate and urged Kenyans to ignore the critics.
"We advise those with queries to raise them when the matter comes to Parliament other than engaging in a public charade," they said.
Minister for Public Health Beth Mugo congratulated the President for appointing what she termed as people of integrity and professionalism and accused the PM of trying to hold the country hostage.
"The process has passed the nomination stage with consultation and it is now for Parliament to approve or not," she said.
Kangundo MP Johnson Muthama accused Raila of trying to win the sympathy of Kenyans by claiming he was left out of the decision-making process, terming it a political game.
Konoin MP Julius Kones claimed while the Constitution called for consultation between the two principals before making appointments, it did not provide for consensus. He urged President Kibaki to quickly submit the appointees to Parliament for approval or rejection.
Other MPs who attended the conference include Samuel Kazungu, Jamleck Kamau, Moses Lessonet, Joseph Kiuna, Maison Leshomo, Kareke Mbiuki, Ferdinand Waititu, David Njuguna and Lee Kinyanjui.
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