Kibaki sides with Saitoti over blazes

Beleaguered minister George Saitoti was given full backing on Tuesday — and it came right from the top.

President Kibaki defended his Internal Security minister, saying, “I have full confidence in him and I appreciate the good work he is doing in my office.”

The President stepped in after Prof Saitoti faced accusations, from First Lady Lucy Kibaki, of negligence in the Molo and Nakumatt fire disasters.

Written explanation

The First Lady on Monday delivered an unprecedented public attack on a cabinet minister, saying Prof Saitoti should be held responsible for the deaths of 115 people in the petrol tanker blaze.

She went on to demand a written explanation from the minister on why he had failed to prevent both the tanker disaster and the Nakumatt supermarket blaze the previous Wednesday that had claimed 27 lives.

But the President went out of his way on Tuesday to support his Internal Security minister.

He spoke during a press conference outside his Harambee House office, with Prof Saitoti by his side, and said: “In view of the reports which have appeared in today’s media, I wish to assure my minister for Security, Hon George Saitoti, that I have full confidence in him and that I appreciate the good work he is doing in my office.”

His impromptu statement was greeted with loud cheers from people who had stopped to listen to the President as he spoke outside his office.

Mrs Kibaki’s attack on Prof Saitoti could have had political ramifications. Since his election to the PNU chairmanship, the Internal Security minister has come to be seen as one of the key contenders in the race to inherit the Kibaki mantle in central Kenya.

President Kibaki is serving out his final five-year term that expires in 2012.

The fact that he attended the PNU delegates conference where Prof Saitoti was confirmed was taken as an endorsement, but in the latest Cabinet reshuffle, the President appointed one of his rivals, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, to head the influential Finance ministry.

Presidential succession

Others within the PNU coalition involved in the presidential succession race include Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Justice minister Martha Karua.

While Mrs Kibaki has not publicly shown her preference, the public attack on Prof Saitoti was quite telling, as was the President’s quick release of a statement contradicting the First Lady.

Last December the Internal Security minister accompanied the President on a tour of the larger Nyeri region. During the visit, Prof Saitoti announced the creation of two new districts and hinted at the possibility hiving off a new parliamentary constituency from President Kibaki’s Othaya constituency.

It was proposed that a new Nyeri South district be formed comprising Othaya and Mukurwei-ni and a new Mahiga constituency.

According to local political observers, Mahiga would be the natural political base for political activist Mary Wambui, whose relationship with the First Family has been the subject of some controversy and on more than one occasion forced the President to publicly declare that he has only one family.

Ms Wambui has been active in Othaya, and particularly in Mahiga, contributing to development projects in apparent preparation for a parliamentary bid in 2012. President Kibaki’s son, Jimmy, has also declared an interest in the Othaya parliamentary seat.

The President expressed confidence in Prof Saitoti as he announced the establishment of a humanitarian fund for the victims of both fires.

The crowd had remained silent when the President read out the first part of his written statement announcing the setting up of the fund.

The fund, he said, was meant to help the survivors and relatives of the victims.

The money would be used to help survivors in two ways: firstly by settling hospital bills especially for patients needing long term care, and secondly by paying for related humanitarian assistance and further treatment.

The chairman of the fund, President Kibaki said, would be businessman Naushad Merali.

“Details of the accounts to which Kenyans can make their contributions will soon be made public,” he said.

He appealed to people to respond with the generosity they had always shown after such tragedies. He particularly appealed to all leaders, the public service, the business community and members of civil society to contribute in solidarity with those who are suffering.

In addition to the fund, the Head of State also announced that a major fund-raising and prayer service will be held on Tuesday next week at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).

President Kibaki described the tragedies as “a huge loss to our nation in just one week.”

Stressing the need to contribute to the fund, he said that among those who died were family heads, “who were relied on for daily provision.” He added: “Many were promising youths who were key pillars of hope to their relatives and friends.”

The President once again sent condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the two fire victims, from himself and on behalf of the Government. “We also pray to God to give strength and quick recovery to those who are currently hospitalised.”

As well as Prof Saitoti, those present included Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka and ministers Dalmas Otieno and Naomi Shabaan.

The Anglican Church has called for prayers at noon on Friday in memory of those who died in the Sachang’wan and Nakumatt tragedies.