Ministers sworn in after ignoring order

Seventeen ministers and assistant ministers were sworn in as governors, MPs and senators despite a presidential directive requiring them to step down.

Of that number, 15 are from the Coalition of Reform and Democracy while two are from Jubilee Coalition.

The 10 ministers from Cord coalition sworn in and have not relinquished their ministerial posts are Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o (Medical Services), Mr James Orengo (Lands), Mr Ababu Namwamba (Youth Affairs), Mr Amason Kingi (Fisheries), Mr Dan Mwazo (Tourism), Dr Paul Otuoma (Local Government), Mr Otieno Kajwang’ (Immigration), Mr Wycliffe Oparanya, Mr Moses Wetang’ula (Trade) and Mr Chris Obure (Public Works).

The only minister from the Jubilee Coalition sworn in before he resigned is Dr Mohammed Kuti (Livestock).

Cord assistant ministers sworn in and are yet to resign are Dr Oburu Odinga (Finance), Mr David Musila (Defence), Mr Hassan Joho (Transport), Ms Elizabeth Ongoro (Metropolitan) and Mr Sospeter Ojaamong (Labour).

Mr Moses ole Sakuda, who is Regional Development assistant minister, is the only one from the Jubilee Coalition who is yet to resign.

President Kibaki may be forced to operate a skeleton government for the coming month should the Supreme Court invalidate last month’s presidential elections after several Cabinet ministers resigned.

More than 20 ministers and assistant ministers had resigned by Wednesday night, heeding a presidential directive that they quit following their election to various public offices.

Heeded directive

Those who have resigned include Mr Kiraitu Murungi (Energy), Mr Yusuf Haji (Defence), Mr Mutula Kilonzo (Education), Mr Dalmas Otieno (Public Service), Ms Esther Murugi (Special Programmes) and Dr Naomi Shaban (Gender).

Others are Mr Jamleck Kamau (Nairobi Metropolitan), Mr Mohammed Elmi (Northern Kenya), Mrs Beth Mugo (Public Health) and Mr Katoo ole Metito (Internal Security).

Mr Orengo, who is the Siaya Senator, on Thursday insisted that ministers who had declined to resign had not violated the law since they were protected by the Constitution.

“We will stay on until the day the duly elected President picks his new Cabinet. The electoral process as things stand now is not yet over because we are in court,” he said.

He argued that the meaning of State officers as enshrined in the Constitution did not include the Prime Minister and the Vice-President and ministers but only referred to Cabinet Secretaries and others.

“The incumbent President, PM, VP and all current ministers are not products of the current Constitution but the National Accord,” he maintained.