Party calls on Annan to resolve coalition crisis

One of Kenya's ruling coalition partners has declared a crisis in the coalition government, calling on Kofi Annan and the African Union (AU) to convene a meeting to resolve it.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, to which Prime Minister Raila Odinga belongs, was reacting to Mr Odinga's suspension of two Cabinet ministers on Sunday, a move that was overruled by President Kibaki.

"...the Prime Minister as the leader of ODM has declared a dispute between the coalition partners and seeks the immediate intervention of the African union, in particular the Office of the Eminent African Personalities chaired by His Excellency Dr Kofi Annan, to convene a meeting to discuss the current crisis..." a statement by the party said.

But Agriculture Minister William Ruto, who also belongs to the party, dismissed the declaration, noting that talk of a crisis was a figment of his imagination.

“There is nothing like a crisis…somebody like Kofi Annan should find something useful to do,” the Agriculture minister retorted.

“It’s him (Raila) who overstepped his mandate and not the President by trying to exercise powers he does not have,” said the Agriculture minister.

Both Mr Ruto and Prof Sam Ongeri, the Education minister, were suspended on Sunday by the Prime Minister over graft allegations. But on the same day, President Kibaki annulled the suspension of the two ministers, saying the PM did not have powers to dismiss a minister from office.

The Prime Minister reacted bitterly after the President's action, and in an interview with the BBC Radio, he said he did not have to consult him before suspending the ministers, since he was only "disciplining errant ministers."

Deputy party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi spoke for the party and defended him on Monday, saying the PM had the necessary powers to suspend the ministers.

He said though President Kibaki's statement alleged that the PM had "removed" the ministers without consulting him on the matter, the law was clear regarding the issue.

"..on matters of discipline, suspension or interdiction of public officials including Cabinet minister, the Prime Minister has exclusive authority. The Prime Minister does not share that power or authority with the President," Mr Mudavadi said.