Friday, October 1, 2010
Hell breaks loose in Kenya's PNU over VP's line-up
By ALEX NDEGWA and PETER OPIYO
Implementation of Kenya's new Constitution faces further delay after a row in the President’s party held hostage the formation of a crucial parliamentary committee.
On Thursday, PNU members feuded in Parliament over how a proposed list of members of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) was picked, forcing an adjournment of a Motion that was to endorse the committee to next week.
MPs and ministers from the President’s side of the Coalition Government traded harsh words over party nominees to the committee, fueling a rebellion that also emboldened discontent in ODM, eventually scuttling adoption of the 27-member committee.
Wetang’ula
The row was dragged to outside Parliament, as MPs from PNU traded accusations at different press conferences. And it took a new dimension as MPs from Eastern threatened to pull out of their alliance with other parties in PNU.
PNU allied Assistant Ministers Nderitu Mureithi and Lee Kinyanjui kicked off a storm in Parliament when they raised initial objections to the list tabled by Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka, the Leader of Government Business.
A heated debate followed, drawing in MPs and Cabinet ministers alike until the Motion was deferred.
At the centre of the row were protests within PNU that Eastern Province got the lion’s share, with five of the 13 positions, which MPs from other regions claimed was "not representative of the face of Kenya".
The House Business Committee headed by the VP was accused of not consulting parties before naming the members.
PNU MPs from outside Eastern Province claimed the committee was stuffed with MPs from the Vice-President’s home province.
Five of 13 members from PNU were given to MPs from Eastern Province, according to the proposed list. ODM will hold 14 slots.
A clash between PNU vice-chairmen Jamleck Kamau and Trade Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere highlighted leadership wrangles facing PNU.
Kamau had risen to refute an assertion by Metropolitan minister Njeru Githae that PNU had consulted its members, but Mwakwere, who is the party’s first vice-chairman, stood up to back Githae’s position.
Githae angered PNU members when he remarked: "We should not bring the confusion of PNU in this House. In other parties when leader makes a decision members accept it, but in PNU members dispute leader’s position. We must have discipline."
Kamau responded: "I am the senior most member of PNU in the House and I was not consulted. Is Githae, who is my junior in the party, in order to mislead the House that PNU had consulted?"
Mwakwere shot back: "I am the first vice-chairman of PNU and I wish to confirm the list presented represents the position of the party."
disapproved of ‘arrogance’
Labour minister John Munyes, who is Ford-Kenya secretary general, said there were no consultations in PNU, and disapproved of the ‘arrogance’ with which the matter was handled.
At this point Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula stepped in to stop PNU from further washing its dirty linen on the floor of the House, by moving a Motion to defer approval of the list to allow consultations.
"Another day is not too long to give an opportunity for a clean and smooth process. It is important that MPs pass Bills without hesitation or ill will stemming from feeling that they had not been consulted in earlier stages," Wetangula said.
Livestock Assistant Minister Aden Duale, an ODM official, seconded the Motion, saying the Orange party had also not consulted.
Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo, while supporting the postponement of the Motion, said: "It pains me when I see ministers Wetang’ula and Githae expressing contrary views on the floor of the House.
Though this business (formation of committee) is the first about implementation of the new Constitution, if we start on the wrong footing we will remain on the wrong footing."
Earlier, Speaker Kenneth Marende had declined to be drawn into the debate on whether political parties had consulted.
Marende ruled the Chair would not be involved in the "management affairs of political parties".
ODM Whip Jakoyo Midiwo, too, landed in trouble with members for the repeated use of the first person while explaining the party had consulted.
This emboldened the discontent within ODM.
Midiwo further alluded to a delicate tribal balancing act that the VP felt did not serve the cause.
"We didn’t only look at tribal issues, but the constitutional requirement that a third of members are women," Kalonzo said.
"This House is having a date with destiny. We can’t be seen to be prevaricating in our responsibility to give leadership to our people.
The time to implement the new Constitution is now," Kalonzo had said, pleading with MPs to approve the list.
Midiwo seconded the Motion, reminding members that a month had lapsed since proclamation of the new Constitution.
I am not aware
Nderitu, however, sought to block the list on grounds that the House Business Committee had violated the requirement that the list is prepared in consultation with parliamentary political parties.
"I am not aware of any attempts whatsoever at consultations in PNU," the Laikipia West MP said, touching off the debate.
"Members of our own party did not hear of the (PNU) names until today in the newspapers," Kinyanjui said.
Outside Parliament, the row continued as MPs traded accusations at separate press conferences.
PNU members from Eastern Province vowed that people from the region would not relinquish their positions. They vowed to pull out of the PNU coalition should this happen.
Runyenjes MP, Cecily Mbarire, Yatta’s Charles Kilonzo, and Mbiuki Kareke of Nithi, dared the other group to pull their members out and face the consequences of ‘a broken marriage’.
"We are disappointed in particular with Central and Eastern provinces’ reasoning of some MPs that are still based on tribes. After being supported by Eastern, Central, today is on the forefront attacking Eastern, it is unfortunate," said Kilonzo.
"They want Eastern to surrender two posts, but if any name is removed then the marriage is over, because they just want to get slots for their brothers in Rift Valley," he added, in reference to members of Kikuyu community in central Rift Valley.
Mbarire said their region has been treated unfairly given that they have all the time supported Central Province unconditionally, saying they had reached a point of no return.
"We have been treated unfairly. We don’t take this very kindly, if anything changes on Tuesday it is going to have very serious implications, politically," said Mbarire, who is also the Assistant Minister for Tourism.
Mbiuki said, "It is extremely unfortunate because Central has been using us in Eastern as voting machines. We are going to fight all the way.
We’ll never support them if they don’t follow their cousins. Never, never again shall we support them blindly. It is now or never."
But five MPs led by Asman Kamama (Baringo East), said Rift Valley was ignored in the nomination for the committee.
Kamama argued that unlike ODM, which has treated Rift Valley fairly, PNU gave the region a raw deal.
"We are extremely disappointed by the PNU list. Rift Valley is totally ignored, only Turkana County was considered.
At least, ODM gave Rift Valley four slots, PNU gave us one. We want two extra slots. It is a big region that should not be taken for a ride," he said.
Implementation of Kenya's new Constitution faces further delay after a row in the President’s party held hostage the formation of a crucial parliamentary committee.
On Thursday, PNU members feuded in Parliament over how a proposed list of members of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) was picked, forcing an adjournment of a Motion that was to endorse the committee to next week.
MPs and ministers from the President’s side of the Coalition Government traded harsh words over party nominees to the committee, fueling a rebellion that also emboldened discontent in ODM, eventually scuttling adoption of the 27-member committee.
Wetang’ula
The row was dragged to outside Parliament, as MPs from PNU traded accusations at different press conferences. And it took a new dimension as MPs from Eastern threatened to pull out of their alliance with other parties in PNU.
PNU allied Assistant Ministers Nderitu Mureithi and Lee Kinyanjui kicked off a storm in Parliament when they raised initial objections to the list tabled by Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka, the Leader of Government Business.
A heated debate followed, drawing in MPs and Cabinet ministers alike until the Motion was deferred.
At the centre of the row were protests within PNU that Eastern Province got the lion’s share, with five of the 13 positions, which MPs from other regions claimed was "not representative of the face of Kenya".
The House Business Committee headed by the VP was accused of not consulting parties before naming the members.
PNU MPs from outside Eastern Province claimed the committee was stuffed with MPs from the Vice-President’s home province.
Five of 13 members from PNU were given to MPs from Eastern Province, according to the proposed list. ODM will hold 14 slots.
A clash between PNU vice-chairmen Jamleck Kamau and Trade Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere highlighted leadership wrangles facing PNU.
Kamau had risen to refute an assertion by Metropolitan minister Njeru Githae that PNU had consulted its members, but Mwakwere, who is the party’s first vice-chairman, stood up to back Githae’s position.
Githae angered PNU members when he remarked: "We should not bring the confusion of PNU in this House. In other parties when leader makes a decision members accept it, but in PNU members dispute leader’s position. We must have discipline."
Kamau responded: "I am the senior most member of PNU in the House and I was not consulted. Is Githae, who is my junior in the party, in order to mislead the House that PNU had consulted?"
Mwakwere shot back: "I am the first vice-chairman of PNU and I wish to confirm the list presented represents the position of the party."
disapproved of ‘arrogance’
Labour minister John Munyes, who is Ford-Kenya secretary general, said there were no consultations in PNU, and disapproved of the ‘arrogance’ with which the matter was handled.
At this point Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula stepped in to stop PNU from further washing its dirty linen on the floor of the House, by moving a Motion to defer approval of the list to allow consultations.
"Another day is not too long to give an opportunity for a clean and smooth process. It is important that MPs pass Bills without hesitation or ill will stemming from feeling that they had not been consulted in earlier stages," Wetangula said.
Livestock Assistant Minister Aden Duale, an ODM official, seconded the Motion, saying the Orange party had also not consulted.
Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo, while supporting the postponement of the Motion, said: "It pains me when I see ministers Wetang’ula and Githae expressing contrary views on the floor of the House.
Though this business (formation of committee) is the first about implementation of the new Constitution, if we start on the wrong footing we will remain on the wrong footing."
Earlier, Speaker Kenneth Marende had declined to be drawn into the debate on whether political parties had consulted.
Marende ruled the Chair would not be involved in the "management affairs of political parties".
ODM Whip Jakoyo Midiwo, too, landed in trouble with members for the repeated use of the first person while explaining the party had consulted.
This emboldened the discontent within ODM.
Midiwo further alluded to a delicate tribal balancing act that the VP felt did not serve the cause.
"We didn’t only look at tribal issues, but the constitutional requirement that a third of members are women," Kalonzo said.
"This House is having a date with destiny. We can’t be seen to be prevaricating in our responsibility to give leadership to our people.
The time to implement the new Constitution is now," Kalonzo had said, pleading with MPs to approve the list.
Midiwo seconded the Motion, reminding members that a month had lapsed since proclamation of the new Constitution.
I am not aware
Nderitu, however, sought to block the list on grounds that the House Business Committee had violated the requirement that the list is prepared in consultation with parliamentary political parties.
"I am not aware of any attempts whatsoever at consultations in PNU," the Laikipia West MP said, touching off the debate.
"Members of our own party did not hear of the (PNU) names until today in the newspapers," Kinyanjui said.
Outside Parliament, the row continued as MPs traded accusations at separate press conferences.
PNU members from Eastern Province vowed that people from the region would not relinquish their positions. They vowed to pull out of the PNU coalition should this happen.
Runyenjes MP, Cecily Mbarire, Yatta’s Charles Kilonzo, and Mbiuki Kareke of Nithi, dared the other group to pull their members out and face the consequences of ‘a broken marriage’.
"We are disappointed in particular with Central and Eastern provinces’ reasoning of some MPs that are still based on tribes. After being supported by Eastern, Central, today is on the forefront attacking Eastern, it is unfortunate," said Kilonzo.
"They want Eastern to surrender two posts, but if any name is removed then the marriage is over, because they just want to get slots for their brothers in Rift Valley," he added, in reference to members of Kikuyu community in central Rift Valley.
Mbarire said their region has been treated unfairly given that they have all the time supported Central Province unconditionally, saying they had reached a point of no return.
"We have been treated unfairly. We don’t take this very kindly, if anything changes on Tuesday it is going to have very serious implications, politically," said Mbarire, who is also the Assistant Minister for Tourism.
Mbiuki said, "It is extremely unfortunate because Central has been using us in Eastern as voting machines. We are going to fight all the way.
We’ll never support them if they don’t follow their cousins. Never, never again shall we support them blindly. It is now or never."
But five MPs led by Asman Kamama (Baringo East), said Rift Valley was ignored in the nomination for the committee.
Kamama argued that unlike ODM, which has treated Rift Valley fairly, PNU gave the region a raw deal.
"We are extremely disappointed by the PNU list. Rift Valley is totally ignored, only Turkana County was considered.
At least, ODM gave Rift Valley four slots, PNU gave us one. We want two extra slots. It is a big region that should not be taken for a ride," he said.
Key law team derailed by squabbles in PNU
By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU, ashiundu@ke.nationmedia.com and LUCAS BARASA, lbarasa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, September 30 2010 at 22:03
In Summary
MPs who oppose the list
Lee Kinyanjui (PNU)
Ndiritu Muriithi (PNU)
Bifwoli Wakoli (PNU)
Jamleck Kamau (PNU)
Joseph Kiuna (PNU)
Asman Kamama (Narc-Kenya)
Maison Leshoomo (PNU)
Kabando wa Kabando (Safina)
Moses Wetangula (PNU)
John Munyes (PNU)
Dr Eseli Simiyu (Ford-Kenya)
Aden Duale (ODM)
Josphat Nanok (ODM)
Ferdinand Waititu (PNU)
Political wrangling within the Party of National Unity derailed Parliament’s efforts to form a powerful committee charged with overseeing the implementation of the new Constitution.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, the Leader of Government Business and ODM whip Jakoyo Midiwo, faced hostile PNU and ODM backbenchers who totally rejected the list of 27 MPs nominated to the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee.
The adoption of the names was put off to Tuesday, effectively halting two Bills — the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution and the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill — which were due for the First Reading (formal introduction to Parliament) on Thursday.
After the vote to adjourn debate on the list tabled by Mr Musyoka, the Leader of Government Business, MPs from Eastern Province and Rift Valley provinces held separate press conferences.
Each team claimed their regions were not adequately represented in the 13-member team from the President’s party and that they had been used as voting machines at elections.
The MPs complained that they had not been consulted and accused the party’s old guard of “sitting in saunas in exclusive clubs to make decisions on behalf of other members”.
MPs Charles Kilonzo, Kareke Mbiuki and Cecily Mbarire were angry that assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi, supported by a few other members, had complained that the five members from Eastern were too many.
They gave their counterparts from Central Province a four-day ultimatum to resolve the matter or risk endangering their political relationship.
PNU has had internal troubles that came to a boil after last week’s loss of two seats in the by-elections in Juja and Makadara.
Similarly, addressing a hurriedly convened news conference at Parliament buildings, MPs Asman Kamama, Joseph Kiuna, Maison Leshoomo and Mr Mureithi said Rift Valley Province had been given a raw deal as only Turkana was represented by Ekwee Ethuro of Turkana Central. They called for a change of attitude in PNU if the party is to avoid the collapse that has been a constant threat since the formation of the coalition government in 2008.
In the House, Cabinet ministers Moses Wetang’ula and John Munyes led other MPs in calling for adjournment of debate on the list to give them time to consult.
Mr Wetang’ula moved the successful motion, seconded by assistant minister Adan Duale, and was supported by Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo, who said it would be wrong for political parties to start off badly by implementing the constitution through impunity.
“It pains me to see my two colleagues expressing contrary views on the floor. If we start on the wrong foot, we will remain there,” he said, describing Mr Wetangula’s sentiments as reasonable.
Tempers flared after Metropolitan Development minister Njeru Githae called for party discipline, saying members should support “the leader” whenever he makes a decision.
He was supported by his outspoken Trade counterpart, Chirau Mwakwere, who said the list was arrived at through consultations.
He was responding to Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau’s assertion that as PNU’s vice-chairman, he was not aware of any consultation on the list.
Mr Mwakwere shot up to declare his support for the list, saying as the party’s first national vice-chairman, the list was “right, proper and representative of the party’s position”.
While moving the motion to adjourn, Mr Wetang’ula asked other parties in the House (ODM) to support their calls for adjournment, saying that Ford Kenya was not consulted.
He asked Mr Githae to stop being aggressive and be more accommodating.
Labour minister John Munyes, the Ford-Kenya secretary-general, called for respect within PNU, saying nobody had approached them.
In a rare show of praise for its political rival, ODM, the MPs who spoke said ODM had balanced its choice and wondered why PNU still insisted on picking Cabinet ministers Beth Mugo and Chirau Ali Mwakwere.
Even before the motion was put on the table for approval, Roads assistant minister Lee Kinyanjui was up in arms saying the process of coming up with the list was not consultative.
In wooing MPs to accept the list and “move on” with the implementation process, the VP said all MPs qualified, but the committee could only accommodate 27.
“We cannot be seen to be prevaricating in our role to implement the Constitution and to give direction to the implementation process,” Mr Musyoka said. “We have to make progress. I think we have a product we can live with.”
Mr Midiwo, too, found himself in hot soup when he kept on saying “I chose…” in reference to the way he decided to pick MPs to sit in the Oversight Committee. In fact, House Speaker Kenneth Marende had to cut him short and force him to explain if he indeed carried out any consultation.
“You appear to be saying that you as the party whip did so alone. That’s dangerous,” warned Mr Marende.
At this point, many members rose to contribute and Mr Muriithi said that as a PNU MP, he “was not aware of any attempt whatsoever at consultation”.
Mr Muriithi complained that of the 13 nominees from PNU, five were from Eastern Province –namely Ms Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes, PNU), Mr Charles Kilonzo (Yatta, ODM-K), Dr Kilemi Mwiria (Tigania West), Prof Philip Kaloki (Kibwezi, ODM-K) and Ms Wavinya Ndeti (Kathiani, CCU).
Lands assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli added: “We are not against the names. We are against the way PNU wants to handle these matters.”
The MPs sought the Speaker’s guidance on the obvious rift, but the Speaker did not take that kindly: “The chair has no way of knowing who is telling the truth. Some say they were consulted, others say they were not. That’s an exclusive political party process, to which the Speaker is a stranger. The Speaker will stay away from managing political parties.”
He asked the MPs to consider seeking more time to consult, to which they readily agreed. The debate will resume on Tuesday.
—By Njeri Rugene, Alphonce Shiundu and John Ngirachu
Posted Thursday, September 30 2010 at 22:03
In Summary
MPs who oppose the list
Lee Kinyanjui (PNU)
Ndiritu Muriithi (PNU)
Bifwoli Wakoli (PNU)
Jamleck Kamau (PNU)
Joseph Kiuna (PNU)
Asman Kamama (Narc-Kenya)
Maison Leshoomo (PNU)
Kabando wa Kabando (Safina)
Moses Wetangula (PNU)
John Munyes (PNU)
Dr Eseli Simiyu (Ford-Kenya)
Aden Duale (ODM)
Josphat Nanok (ODM)
Ferdinand Waititu (PNU)
Political wrangling within the Party of National Unity derailed Parliament’s efforts to form a powerful committee charged with overseeing the implementation of the new Constitution.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, the Leader of Government Business and ODM whip Jakoyo Midiwo, faced hostile PNU and ODM backbenchers who totally rejected the list of 27 MPs nominated to the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee.
The adoption of the names was put off to Tuesday, effectively halting two Bills — the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution and the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill — which were due for the First Reading (formal introduction to Parliament) on Thursday.
After the vote to adjourn debate on the list tabled by Mr Musyoka, the Leader of Government Business, MPs from Eastern Province and Rift Valley provinces held separate press conferences.
Each team claimed their regions were not adequately represented in the 13-member team from the President’s party and that they had been used as voting machines at elections.
The MPs complained that they had not been consulted and accused the party’s old guard of “sitting in saunas in exclusive clubs to make decisions on behalf of other members”.
MPs Charles Kilonzo, Kareke Mbiuki and Cecily Mbarire were angry that assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi, supported by a few other members, had complained that the five members from Eastern were too many.
They gave their counterparts from Central Province a four-day ultimatum to resolve the matter or risk endangering their political relationship.
PNU has had internal troubles that came to a boil after last week’s loss of two seats in the by-elections in Juja and Makadara.
Similarly, addressing a hurriedly convened news conference at Parliament buildings, MPs Asman Kamama, Joseph Kiuna, Maison Leshoomo and Mr Mureithi said Rift Valley Province had been given a raw deal as only Turkana was represented by Ekwee Ethuro of Turkana Central. They called for a change of attitude in PNU if the party is to avoid the collapse that has been a constant threat since the formation of the coalition government in 2008.
In the House, Cabinet ministers Moses Wetang’ula and John Munyes led other MPs in calling for adjournment of debate on the list to give them time to consult.
Mr Wetang’ula moved the successful motion, seconded by assistant minister Adan Duale, and was supported by Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo, who said it would be wrong for political parties to start off badly by implementing the constitution through impunity.
“It pains me to see my two colleagues expressing contrary views on the floor. If we start on the wrong foot, we will remain there,” he said, describing Mr Wetangula’s sentiments as reasonable.
Tempers flared after Metropolitan Development minister Njeru Githae called for party discipline, saying members should support “the leader” whenever he makes a decision.
He was supported by his outspoken Trade counterpart, Chirau Mwakwere, who said the list was arrived at through consultations.
He was responding to Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau’s assertion that as PNU’s vice-chairman, he was not aware of any consultation on the list.
Mr Mwakwere shot up to declare his support for the list, saying as the party’s first national vice-chairman, the list was “right, proper and representative of the party’s position”.
While moving the motion to adjourn, Mr Wetang’ula asked other parties in the House (ODM) to support their calls for adjournment, saying that Ford Kenya was not consulted.
He asked Mr Githae to stop being aggressive and be more accommodating.
Labour minister John Munyes, the Ford-Kenya secretary-general, called for respect within PNU, saying nobody had approached them.
In a rare show of praise for its political rival, ODM, the MPs who spoke said ODM had balanced its choice and wondered why PNU still insisted on picking Cabinet ministers Beth Mugo and Chirau Ali Mwakwere.
Even before the motion was put on the table for approval, Roads assistant minister Lee Kinyanjui was up in arms saying the process of coming up with the list was not consultative.
In wooing MPs to accept the list and “move on” with the implementation process, the VP said all MPs qualified, but the committee could only accommodate 27.
“We cannot be seen to be prevaricating in our role to implement the Constitution and to give direction to the implementation process,” Mr Musyoka said. “We have to make progress. I think we have a product we can live with.”
Mr Midiwo, too, found himself in hot soup when he kept on saying “I chose…” in reference to the way he decided to pick MPs to sit in the Oversight Committee. In fact, House Speaker Kenneth Marende had to cut him short and force him to explain if he indeed carried out any consultation.
“You appear to be saying that you as the party whip did so alone. That’s dangerous,” warned Mr Marende.
At this point, many members rose to contribute and Mr Muriithi said that as a PNU MP, he “was not aware of any attempt whatsoever at consultation”.
Mr Muriithi complained that of the 13 nominees from PNU, five were from Eastern Province –namely Ms Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes, PNU), Mr Charles Kilonzo (Yatta, ODM-K), Dr Kilemi Mwiria (Tigania West), Prof Philip Kaloki (Kibwezi, ODM-K) and Ms Wavinya Ndeti (Kathiani, CCU).
Lands assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli added: “We are not against the names. We are against the way PNU wants to handle these matters.”
The MPs sought the Speaker’s guidance on the obvious rift, but the Speaker did not take that kindly: “The chair has no way of knowing who is telling the truth. Some say they were consulted, others say they were not. That’s an exclusive political party process, to which the Speaker is a stranger. The Speaker will stay away from managing political parties.”
He asked the MPs to consider seeking more time to consult, to which they readily agreed. The debate will resume on Tuesday.
—By Njeri Rugene, Alphonce Shiundu and John Ngirachu
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
