Ruto unmoved as Raila acts on party rebels

Prime Minister Raila Odinga at last got his way Wednesday and formally fired suspended Cabinet minister William Ruto. (Read: Reshuffle that never was stokes ODM wars)

In the move clearly aimed at kicking out rebellious MPs from the ODM half of the coalition Cabinet, Prof Hellen Sambili was also dropped as East African Community Minister.

They were replaced by Mr Odinga’s allies, with Prof Margaret Kamar taking over Mr Ruto’s Higher Education, Science & Technology docket and nominated MP Musa Sirma taking over leadership of the East African Community ministry.

President Kibaki’s side of the coalition also benefited from the reshuffle by reinstating suspended Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula.

The PM, who has several times hinted at the ejection of rebels who have declared allegiance to the United Democratic Movement from his party, however, spared suspended Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey, who is also ODM chairman.

Mr Ruto appeared unruffled by his ejection: “I am not surprised at all. I stopped serving a long time ago when I was suspended. I am a happy man because this was not because of incompetence but a result of political intrigue,” he said.

Sources said the mini-reshuffle, which has been long coming, was delayed by the reluctance of President Kibaki to let go Mr Ruto, who is closely linked to the political alliance plotting the presidential succession.

Other key members in the so-called G7 Alliance are Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

The final decision, Daily Nation learnt, was reached two days ago when the President and the PM held talks to agree on the nomination of lawyer Githu Muigai as Attorney General, Mrs Agnes Odhiambo as Controller of Budget and Mr Edward Ouko as Auditor General.

Mr Wetang’ula was forced to step aside pending investigations into the loss of funds at the Kenya embassy in Tokyo and five other foreign missions.

It emerged Wednesday that the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission had cleared him of any wrongdoing. Also recalled was Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Mwangi Thuita.

In his reorganisation, Mr Odinga went back to the Rift Valley to replace the sacked rebels.

Prof Kamar, who has been assistant minister for Environment, is a wife of former Moi era powerman Nicholas Biwott, whose influence waned with the emergence of Mr Ruto.

Prof Kamar said her appointment to the Higher Education ministry was “like going back home” as she has spent more than 21 years teaching.

Her elevation could, however, put her in political trouble, especially given that a majority of MPs from the Rift Valley region have decamped to the William Ruto faction.

“I don’t think it is political suicide since there is freedom of association and there are many parties in the Rift Valley, with ODM the most popular. There is also the provision for independent candidates,” she added.

A Key Raila ally in the Rift Valley, Mr Sirma, expressed his delight at the Cabinet appointment.

“I am excited and will serve with humility. I will use my experience from the Pan African Parliament to drive the integration of the region,” he said.

Mr Sirma said Prof Sambili, who was elected on the UDM ticket, had to go because her party had severed its relationship with the ODM.

“Cabinet positions are never meant for one person.(Prof Sambili) got the post because her party was in coalition with ODM, but the marriage is now over. I will up my campaign to popularise my party and the Prime Minister,” he said.

Mr Odinga handed over the Environment assistant minister post that was held by Prof Kamar to Kapenguria MP Julius Korir who has remained loyal to ODM.

The PM also fired Dujis MP Aden Duale as Livestock assistant minister and replaced him with Voi MP Dan Mwazo.

To appease North Eastern Kenya, he named Wajir North MP Mohammed Gabbow as Special Programmes assistant minister.

The fate of Moyale MP Mohamed Ali was not clear.

Ford People’s South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya was appointed Trade assistant minister to replace Kilome MP John Harun Mwau, who stepped aside last December after being targeted by US President Barack Obama for alleged drug trafficking.

Mr Ruto was suspended in October last year pending conclusion of a Sh96 million fraud case.

Even though he was acquitted, Mr Odinga was determined to keep him out in the wake of serious political rifts.

The Eldoret North MP has emerged as a political force in North Rift, and heads the group of anti-Odinga ODM legislators, who have teamed up with counterparts from President Kibaki’s central Kenya PNU bloc.

“I have performed everywhere I served. I am proud of my record at the Ministry of Agriculture and that of Higher Education,” he said.

Mr Ruto said he will now pay attention to his presidential campaign.