MPs cry foul as Coast ministers miss posts

Members of the Coast Parliamentary Group on Thursday protested at the failure to include ministers from their region in a Cabinet sub-committee that will supervise the implementation of the new Constitution.

They said the team’s composition undermined the principle of equal representation enshrined in the new laws.

There are four ministers in the Cabinet from the Coast region: Mr Najib Balala (Tourism), Dr Naomi Shaban (Gender), Mr Amason Kingi (Fisheries) and Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Trade).

“We remind the President and the Prime Minister that Coast Province delivered 70 per cent for the ‘Yes’ vote for the new Constitution. We have said very clearly that regional and ethnic balancing should be everywhere,” said Mr Danson Mungatana (Garsen, PNU).

Mr Balala was admitted to Nairobi Hospital at the time of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, after which the 16-member team was named.

Dr Shaban is among ministers who campaigned against the new Constitution and who were subsequently left out of the Cabinet team.

Mr Mwakwere recently made his return to the Cabinet after his re-election and, with Mr Kingi, also campaigned for the ratification of the Constitution.

On Thursday, the group’s secretary-general, Mr Dan Mwazo (Voi, ODM), cited the large turnout during the August 4 referendum as proof that all Kenyans wanted to be included in changes under the new Constitution.

The Cabinet team is headed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Other members are Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi and ministers Mutula Kilonzo, Sally Kosgei and Beth Mugo.

Others are Mr Kiraitu Murungi, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Ms Esther Murugi, Mrs Charity Ngilu, Mr James Orengo, Prof George Saitoti, Mr Moses Wetang’ula and Attorney- General Amos Wako.

At the press conference at Parliament Buildings, Mr Omar Zonga (Msambweni, ODM) defended Mr Mwakwere against accusations of hate speech during his campaign to regain the Matuga parliamentary seat.

“There were many more who were involved in hate speech. Accusations haven’t started with Mr Mwakwere,” said Mr Zonga.