Kalonzo: MPs may 'overturn' Marende ruling

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka during a media briefing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before his departure to Sudan on February 18, 2011. Mr Kalonzo said MPs will seek to overturn the decision by Speaker Kenneth Marende to reject the four nominations to constitutional offices made by President Kibaki. HEZRON NJOROGE

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said that Parliament will debate the ruling by Speaker Kenneth Marende and “may even overturn it”.

The VP termed it as unfortunate that the MPs had no chance to “ventilate” against the ruling despite it being evident that they were anxious to do so.

“It was a sad day for me as I listened to the Speaker’s ruling. We even went ahead to violate our own rules as a House as the extension of time would have required a substantive motion. But the Speaker has assured me that he would have wanted people to ventilate,” said Mr Musyoka Friday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.

He added that it was not over in Parliament even as the President who he termed as the “only CEO in this country” takes action over the Thursday ruling by the Speaker.

Mr Marende threw out of Parliament President Kibaki’s nominations to four top State jobs including the new Chief Justice.

He returned the matter to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to follow the law and bring a new list to the House for vetting and approval. (Read: Marende: Sorry, go back and try again).

He was speaking at JKIA before leaving for Juba on official duty that will see him hold talks with leaders of Africa’s newest country – Southern Sudan.

The VP is leading a government delegation for the talks, which he said would focus on the cooperation between the two countries. He added that the delegation would also be passing President Kibaki’s congratulatory message to the people of Southern Sudan.

“The Cabinet made a decision yesterday (Thursday) that we need to support the southern Sudan people in this transition period as they move towards building the new nation,” Mr Musyoka said.

He added that the Cabinet has approved an addition $5 million (Sh400 million) in capacity support to the Southern Sudan which last month voted to separate from the north.

Mr Musyoka also said that the government will also send 80 senior top civil servants to help the Southern Sudanese government put together its public service structures. He said that the Kenyan government will foot the bill of the 80 while in their stations.

The VP is accompanied by ministers Chirau Mwakwere (Trade) and Dalmas Otieno (Public Service). Others include assistant ministers Lee Kinyanjui, Charles Keter, Abu Chiaba and MP Walter Nyambati.

Meanwhile, the VP dismissed reports that the government intends to privatise the Port of Mombasa. He said that the reports were unfounded and asked those who were spreading them to quit doing it.

“Such an important decision would require Cabinet’s approval and Parliament would also need to debate it. The port of Mombasa is a strategic national asset and the government recognises the importance of retaining it under its control,” said Mr Musyoka.