Githae takes over at Treasury and calls for patience

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with the acting Finance Minister Njeru Githae at the Treasury building on January 30, 2012. PHOTO / DIANA NGILA

Acting Finance minister Njeru Githae asked for time to learn the ropes as he took over from Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday.
At a brief ceremony at the Treasury Building in Nairobi, Mr Kenyatta read out a list of six key issues that his successor at the prime docket has to deal with in the next three months.

He then handed it to Mr Githae and marched out of the building. He did not respond to questions from journalists.

Mr Kenyatta’s aides indicated that his new office will be in Shell/BP House which Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his political competitor, occupies.

Mr Kenyatta stepped aside as the minister for finance following the confirmation of charges by the International Criminal Court a week ago but remains the Deputy Prime Minister. (READ: Exit Uhuru, Muthaura)

He insists he won’t quit the DPM’s post unless Parliament passes a motion of no confidence against him.

The Gatundu South MP listed the pending controversy over the approval of the Finance Bill 2011, the finalisation of the Supplementary Budget for the current financial year, the conclusion of a $600 million loan deal, the resolution of debate on the Public Financial Management Bill and the tabling of a Bill to reform the collection of Value Added Tax as issues that require Mr Githae’s “immediate attention and guidance.”

“The Budget Policy Statement is expected in Parliament by end of February 2012 and the final Budget by end of April 2012 in accordance with the Constitution,” Mr Kenyatta told Mr Githae.

But Mr Githae, who is the Nairobi Metropolitan minister, was apprehensive that he might have been thrown into the deep-end of the pool.

He thus asked for time “to learn the ropes”.

“Even in marriage, there’s a honeymoon. I need a honeymoon of at least 100 days as I try to learn the ropes,” said Mr Githae.

The new man at the Treasury said he was no stranger to finance matters given his background in banking and insurance fields.

He rebuffed queries about his independence given that the ministry is under the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

“I have taken over his chair and his desk. Be under no illusion. I will report to the President and the Cabinet,” said the Ndia MP.