Cabinet retreat starts amid MPs’ protests

Several ministers arrived in Mombasa on Wednesday ahead of a three-day Cabinet retreat which starts Thursday.

However, MPs questioned the need for the meeting and challenged the Office of the President to explain its benefits and costs to the taxpayer.

Ministers and their assistants will attend the retreat at Serena Beach Hotel and Spa that seeks to unite the Cabinet under the theme “One government, One voice.”

Deputy Prime Ministers Musalia Mudavadi and Uhuru Kenyatta and ministers Amason Jeffa Kingi and Moses Wetang’ula who were the first to arrive were holed up in closed-door meetings.

The retreat, according to the Presidential Press Service, is to enhance unity and cohesion in the Coalition and will be jointly addressed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Breakdown of costs

It also seek to bring to an end the bickering, public criticism and divisions in the Cabinet since it was established in April last year. The fate of the victims of post-election violence and the new constitution will also be discussed.

To achieve the goal, they have invited experts who include Canadians Bob Rae, Prof Greg Marchildon and Giles Gherson as wells as Prof Prahlad Basu from India and Irishman Tom Dowing.

In Parliament, Garsen MP Danson Mungatana demanded the breakdown of the costs of the trip for the team of 96 ministers and their assistants.

He sought to know when money for the trip was budgeted for and approved by Parliament. “I do not remember passing a vote for bonding and relaxation of ministers and their assistants,” he said.

Assistant minister for Internal Security Orwa Ojodeh undertook to respond to Mr Mungatana’s question next Thursday.