Kilonzo transfer linked to his stand on Ocampo Four cases
Najib Balala was the only minister to be sacked in Monday’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Consequently, one would imagine that his misfortune was the highlight of the shake-up by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. But this isn’t entirely true.
It pales in significance compared to the transfer of Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo to the Education docket and his replacement with Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa.
Although the two are both lawyers, their stand on the highly emotive issue of the International Criminal Court cases against four Kenyans is radically different.
Mr Kilonzo’s transfer is largely linked to his outspokenness on the crimes against humanity cases facing Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr Francis Muthaura, Mr William Ruto and Mr Joshua arap Sang.
A senior counsel, Mr Kilonzo has been the only Cabinet minister on President Kibaki’s side of the coalition who has openly supported the ICC intervention in Kenya and even called for the removal of Mr Kenyatta and Mr Muthaura from government after the ICC judges committed them to trial.
And in what has angered a large section of PNU, Mr Kilonzo has maintained that Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto should not contest the presidency.
In contrast, Mr Wamalwa is a member of the G7 Alliance which also includes Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto.
He has been at the forefront of supporting the two suspects. More significantly, he is being touted as a possible presidential running mate of Mr Kenyatta.
His appointment and that of his Kigumo counterpart Jamleck Kamau (above), another Uhuru ally, is seen as a boost for the Uhuru-Ruto axis.
It also demonstrates Mr Kenyatta’s continued influence in the coalition despite resigning from the Treasury.
While handing over to Mr Wamalwa yesterday, Mr Kilonzo cautioned him that the ministry was a big challenge.
However, in jest, he told his successor that he would likely have a smooth ride “because you are lucky to belong to the G7.’’
The Mbooni MP was highly critical of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s unsuccessful shuttle diplomacy aimed at stopping the cases.
And in sacking Mr Balala, the Prime Minister got rid of one of his vocal critics in ODM. Mr Balala was replaced by Voi MP Dan Mwazo, an indication of Mr Odinga’s effort to court rural Coast.
Mr Mwazo, a former Livestock assistant minister, was replaced by Dadho Godhana, another Coast man.
Another key beneficiary is Mr Odinga’s pointman at the Coast, Kisauni’s Hassan Joho who replaces Mr John Harun Mwau as Transport assistant minister.
The PM did not fill the Industrialisation docket left vacant by his ally and ODM chairman Henry Kosgey. The Tinderet MP is facing corruption allegations in court.
The PM appears to be reserving the seat pending the outcome of the case. Another highlight of the changes, was the transfer of Moses Wetang’ula from Foreign Affairs to Trade.
The Sirisia MP, who was recently reinstated to the docket after an inquiry into corruption allegations by a House committee, has indicated that he will work with Mr Odinga in the next election.
