PRIME Minister Raila Odinga is under pressure from his allies to throw out of the Cabinet six rebels within ODM in a midterm reshuffle discussed by the two Principals last week.
Raila is said to have asked President Kibaki for a midterm Cabinet clean-up especially within his (PM's) side of the coalition government which today celebrates its third anniversary. The National Accord was signed on February 28, 2008.
The ODM is pushing for the sacking of Cabinet ministers Dr Sally Kosgei (Agriculture), Najib Balala (Tourism), Hellen Sambili (East African Community) and replacement of the suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto.
The ODM has 20 ministerial slots in the grand coalition government and 22 assistant ministers. Its Cabinet strength has dropped following the suspension of Ruto and the resignation of Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey who have serious criminal cases pending at the High Court.
Also marked for sacking are three assistant ministers who have openly sided with Ruto in his war against the PM. The Assistant ministers are William Cheptumo (Justice), Aden Dualle (Livestock) and Mohamed Mohamud Ali (Special Programmes).
The six politicians have openly sided with Ruto who has fallen out with Raila over the ICC trials and the Mau Forest restoration programme.
Yesterday Sports minister Dr Paul Otuoma said it is time for the President and the PM to take stock of the Cabinet and drop those who don't adhere to their party policies. “If the presence of certain ministers is obstructing the government from discharging its responsibility then the two principals should take the midterm opportunity to make changes,” Otuoma said.
Otuoma called on Kibaki to give Raila a free hand to make the changes he desires within the ODM side. “How can a minister who has rebelled against his own party work for the advancement of his party policies in government?” the minister said.
Yesterday an aide to Raila confirmed the PM has petitioned the President for a Cabinet reshuffle. “Yes, the President and the Prime Minister have already discussed this matter and it will be worked on soon. The ODM is going for a serious reshuffle while the PNU prefers a piecemeal affair on its side,” the official said.
But The Star learnt that Kibaki has three times rejected Raila's requests to reshuffle the ODM ministers. At one time, a proposal by the PM to sack some ministers was revealed in advance to those affected so the President declined to make the announcement.
Raila’s adviser on constitutional matters Miguna Miguna yesterday said, “It's saddening that those from the President’s side have never been humble enough to understand that this is a two-party coalition government. They believe in a one-party government but it is clear we are in a coalition.” Key ODM MPs expected to benefit from the reshuffle have met the PM in his office.
On Thursday Nambale MP Chris Okemo held a 40-minute meeting with Raila and they are said to have discussed political issues. The names touted as possible beneficiaries of a reshuffle include assistant minister Prof Margaret Kamar, Dr Joyce Laboso (Sotik), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike), Mohamed Gabow (Wajir North), Gideon Mung'aro (Malindi) and Musa Sirma (nominated).
Speaking at a rally in Kakamega at the weekend, Raila called on the ODM rebel MPs to quit and seek a fresh mandate from the people. Raila is said to be perturbed by open defiance, especially by the ministers who are openly attending the PNU meetings and caucuses.
Last week Ruto was a key figure at the PNU meeting attended by both the President and the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka at the VIP Lounge in the KICC, Nairobi.
Raila said at the Kakamega rally, “We in ODM are doing everything to ensure reforms in this government, but the anti-reformists are doing everything to undermine the process by bickering in government.”
The ODM deputy chief whip Benjamin Washiali, MP for Mumias, said the PM is doing serious consultations on the matter and will act only in the best interest of the country. “Raila has been very patient. Ruto started behaving funny from the third month on his appointment to the Cabinet. The Premier has never been in hurry to kick out even those who have openly hurled abuse on him,” Washiali said.
He added that ODM will purge the rebels out of the parliamentary committees and replace them with individuals who will articulate the party policies. “We are going to reshuffle membership of the committees to ensure the party's interests of making reforms in this country are adhered to,” Washiali said.
Raila is said to have asked President Kibaki for a midterm Cabinet clean-up especially within his (PM's) side of the coalition government which today celebrates its third anniversary. The National Accord was signed on February 28, 2008.
The ODM is pushing for the sacking of Cabinet ministers Dr Sally Kosgei (Agriculture), Najib Balala (Tourism), Hellen Sambili (East African Community) and replacement of the suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto.
The ODM has 20 ministerial slots in the grand coalition government and 22 assistant ministers. Its Cabinet strength has dropped following the suspension of Ruto and the resignation of Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey who have serious criminal cases pending at the High Court.
Also marked for sacking are three assistant ministers who have openly sided with Ruto in his war against the PM. The Assistant ministers are William Cheptumo (Justice), Aden Dualle (Livestock) and Mohamed Mohamud Ali (Special Programmes).
The six politicians have openly sided with Ruto who has fallen out with Raila over the ICC trials and the Mau Forest restoration programme.
Yesterday Sports minister Dr Paul Otuoma said it is time for the President and the PM to take stock of the Cabinet and drop those who don't adhere to their party policies. “If the presence of certain ministers is obstructing the government from discharging its responsibility then the two principals should take the midterm opportunity to make changes,” Otuoma said.
Otuoma called on Kibaki to give Raila a free hand to make the changes he desires within the ODM side. “How can a minister who has rebelled against his own party work for the advancement of his party policies in government?” the minister said.
Yesterday an aide to Raila confirmed the PM has petitioned the President for a Cabinet reshuffle. “Yes, the President and the Prime Minister have already discussed this matter and it will be worked on soon. The ODM is going for a serious reshuffle while the PNU prefers a piecemeal affair on its side,” the official said.
But The Star learnt that Kibaki has three times rejected Raila's requests to reshuffle the ODM ministers. At one time, a proposal by the PM to sack some ministers was revealed in advance to those affected so the President declined to make the announcement.
Raila’s adviser on constitutional matters Miguna Miguna yesterday said, “It's saddening that those from the President’s side have never been humble enough to understand that this is a two-party coalition government. They believe in a one-party government but it is clear we are in a coalition.” Key ODM MPs expected to benefit from the reshuffle have met the PM in his office.
On Thursday Nambale MP Chris Okemo held a 40-minute meeting with Raila and they are said to have discussed political issues. The names touted as possible beneficiaries of a reshuffle include assistant minister Prof Margaret Kamar, Dr Joyce Laboso (Sotik), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike), Mohamed Gabow (Wajir North), Gideon Mung'aro (Malindi) and Musa Sirma (nominated).
Speaking at a rally in Kakamega at the weekend, Raila called on the ODM rebel MPs to quit and seek a fresh mandate from the people. Raila is said to be perturbed by open defiance, especially by the ministers who are openly attending the PNU meetings and caucuses.
Last week Ruto was a key figure at the PNU meeting attended by both the President and the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka at the VIP Lounge in the KICC, Nairobi.
Raila said at the Kakamega rally, “We in ODM are doing everything to ensure reforms in this government, but the anti-reformists are doing everything to undermine the process by bickering in government.”
The ODM deputy chief whip Benjamin Washiali, MP for Mumias, said the PM is doing serious consultations on the matter and will act only in the best interest of the country. “Raila has been very patient. Ruto started behaving funny from the third month on his appointment to the Cabinet. The Premier has never been in hurry to kick out even those who have openly hurled abuse on him,” Washiali said.
He added that ODM will purge the rebels out of the parliamentary committees and replace them with individuals who will articulate the party policies. “We are going to reshuffle membership of the committees to ensure the party's interests of making reforms in this country are adhered to,” Washiali said.
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