Kenyan coalition will not collapse, says Raila

On Wednesday, deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi said: “The best thing is to have the Cabinet meetings suspended until the matter is resolved because of the tension in government.”

Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ said he was bound by the party decision not to attend the Cabinet meetings. “Now that the PM’s decision on the sacking of Cabinet ministers has been trashed, it is impossible for him and us who are members of his team to sit in Cabinet with the same ministers,” he said.

Roads minister Franklin Bett remarked: “ I am not interested in making any comment on Cabinet meetings.” Tourism minister Najib Balala said he would attend Cabinet meetings, because it was a forum for addressing national issues, not political party matters.

“Those saying we should boycott Cabinet meetings should instead make a formal request for us to withdraw from government.” He opposed ODM’s decision to invite Mr Annan, saying Kenyans could sort out their own problems. “I appeal to all political leaders to be sober and sensible and focus on the reasons we teamed up in the Grand Coalition Government.”

Cooperative Development Minister and ODM nominated MP Joseph Nyaga refused to be drawn into the conversation. “I do not want to talk politics. Please allow me to concentrate on issues affecting farmers which is what I am doing now.” He was in Eldoret and Kitale dealing with the milk glut crisis facing dairy farmers.