Crucial issues pending before the Cabinet

Cabinet meetings have become the latest casualty of the stalemate over corruption between the grand coalition partners. The following are key issues that are pending before the Cabinet.

Aids funding

The plight of Kenyans living with Aids was among key issues that a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday was to address. Kenya’s application for Sh21 billion from the Global Fund was rejected because of concerns over cash misuse.

Although the government had said the supply of anti-retroviral drugs would not be interrupted, the Cabinet was to discuss alternative funding in case the appeal lodged fails.

Security

The other issue on the Cabinet’s plate was the finding of 132,000 bullets and some guns in Narok, which caused security jitters in the country. Internal Security minister George Saitoti was to table a detailed explanation on the finding of the arms.

Voter registration

This is linked to the efforts to deliver a new constitution. The Cabinet was to discuss voter registration in readiness for the referendum later in the year.

Population census results

The Cabinet is concerned that the results of last year’s census have not been released and would like to deliberate causes of the delay and find a way forward.

Teacher employment

The Prime Minister had met teachers’ unions to resolve the stalemate on recruitment of intern teachers.

Re-opening of Pan Paper

The government is yet to come up with a programme for the reopening of Pan Paper Mills in Webuye. Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey last week said that the delay was being caused by disagreement between the government and the factory’s long term lenders over debts. The Treasury was to inject some cash into the heavily indebted paper mill to pave way for its revival.

Road projects

Any government project whose budget exceeds Sh10 billion, by law, requires Cabinet approval and several such projects waiting to be approved. They include concession of the Athi River-Rironi road.

Agenda 4 reforms

These include the success of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, boundaries commission and Interim Independent Electoral Commission.