In what is clearly a move designed to help prepare President Kibaki for re-election, George "Goldenberg" Saitoti and Kiraitu "Anglo-Leasing tape" Murungi have been reappointed to the cabinet.
President Kibaki a few moments ago handed back the Education ministry to Saitoti and the Energy ministry back to Murungi. Both held those same portfolios before being forced out of office earlier this year.
These latest appointments are a clear sign of the direction this government is taking over the issue of corruption.
In the same announcement 9 new assistant ministers were named;
· Mr Wario Ali -- Special Programmes, Office of the President
· Mr Peter G. Munya -- Internal Security, Office of the President
· Mr Katoo J. ole Metito -- Youth Affairs, Vice President’s Office
· Mr Hussein Maalim Mohammed -- Home Affairs, Vice President’s Office
· Mrs Jayne Kihara -- Environment and Natural Resources
· Mr Hussein Sasura -- Public Works, Ministry of Roads and Public Works
· Mr Ukur Yattani -- Science and Technology
· Mr Muchiri Gachara -- County Councils, Ministry of Local Government
· Mr Patrick Kariuki Muiruri -- Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture
Both Saitoti and Murungi are infuential "tribal chiefs" commanding significant following in their constituencies. The appointments of the assistant ministers is designed to solidify government numbers in parliament for critical voting over key bills in the house.
It is also worth noting that it is widely believed that Prof George Saitoti was a major financier of the Narc campaign in 2002.
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Sigh... same old, same old...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you coldtusker. I've now resigned myself to watch the political drama with a pinch of salt... as the puzzles fall into place...hoping one day it will all make sense.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing looks like an arranged plot, prezzy tells Saitoti and Kiraitu to hold their horses til things cool down then he gives them back their jobs becoz he Saitoti's financing and Meru votes.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to Mwiraria?
The whole thing looks like an arranged plot, prezzy tells Saitoti and Kiraitu to hold their horses til things cool down then he gives them back their jobs becoz he needs Saitoti's financing and Meru votes.
ReplyDeleteWhat becomes of Mwiraria?
Hi Chris
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised, or shocked about the re-appointments of Saitoti and Murungi...in my opinion, if one starts on the wrong footing, you continue and end on the wrong footing
Chris,my focus is on the opposition as 2007 approaches-I wonder how they will convince Kenyans to come around to their way of thinking and vote for them?
If truth be told, i think through such events as yesterday's re-appointments (and other similar actions that have raised the public's hue and cry) the current administration has handed the opposition enough firewood to burn them with...but will they take it? They have been handed the elections on a silver platter, but will they win?
But why did President Kibaki find it fit to reinstate Prof Saitoti and Mr Murungi, while leaving his oldest and closest ally, Mr Mwiraria, out in the cold? The answer is simple: Prof Saitoti went to court and won a reprieve from investigation and prosecution on his role in the Moi-era Goldenberg scandal.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, however, there is an appeal filed by attorney-general Amos Wako challenging the court decision which cleared Prof Saitoti, and the fact that President Kibaki has chosen to reinstate him while the appeal is pending might well be an indication of the projected outcome.
As for Mr Murungi, he was never found to have been directly involved in the Anglo Leasing and associated scandals that hit the Kibaki government. His name only came up with the damning dossier released by exiled former permanent secretary for Ethics and Governance John Githongo, where the minister was alleged to have tried to impede investigations into Anglo Leasing scandal.