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20.01.2008
Government and Opposition
differ on Kalonzo team role
Daily Nation, Kenya
By KENNETH OGOSIA and ODHIAMBO ORLALE
The Government and ODM are split on the role Vice-President
Kalonzo Musyoka is to play in the mediation talks on the disputed
presidential results.
Information minister Samuel Poghisio told ODM leader Raila Odinga,
that the ten-person team President Kibaki appointed last week was
there to stay.
But Mr Odinga has vowed that his party will not recognise the
committee formed to spearhead national peace and reconciliation.
The committee of Cabinet ministers is headed by Mr Musyoka whom he
described as “ Kenya’s Judas” in reference to the biblical
disciple of Jesus who betrayed him with a kiss and 30 rupees.
Mr Odinga, who attended Sunday service at Holy Trinity Anglican
Church in the volatile Kibera slums in his Langata constituency,
pledged to give dialogue a chance “ even if it means meeting
sinners” but dismissed the Kalonzo team.
The ODM leader said the poor voted democratically and rightfully
and therefore do not deserve political reprisals adding that “
this is a war against Muthaiga club members” and myself as the
poor people’s “ president of Kenya”.
Addressing a news conference in his office in Nairobi, the
tough-talking minister told Mr Odinga that Mr Kalonzo will lead
the team to meet with the international mediators, as directed by
President Kibaki.
At the same time, Mr Poghisio condemned ODM for promoting mass
action, demonstrations, violence, and for asking its supporters to
engage in economic boycott of products/ services of firms whose
directors supported President Kibaki’s campaigns.
The minister threatened ODM leaders with arrest saying they were
not above the law.
Said Mr Poghisio: “Former United Nations secretary general, Mr
Kofi Annan, is expected in the country on Tuesday and he will get
the reception that befits him. The Government has a reconciliation
team led by the VP and we are ready for the mediation talks.”
Mr Annan is among three eminent persons picked by the chairman of
the African Union, Mr John Kufuor, who is also the President of
Ghana, to oversee the mediation efforts between President Kibaki
and the ODM leader.
The minister, who doubles as the ODM-Kenya chairman, accused the
ODM leadership of double speak, saying their actions and words are
not for the promotion of unity, peace and reconciliation.
Mr Poghisio said the Government had taken the first step in the
mediation talks by appointing the VP and nine other Cabinet
ministers, and it was up to ODM to form its own team and meet them
at a round table.
The minister was flanked by his Permanent secretary, Dr Bitange
Ndemo, Government spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua and the director of
information, Mr Ezekiel Mutua.
Asked to comment on Mr Odinga’s remarks that he was not ready to
meet the Government team because he did not trust Mr Kalonzo, who
ran against him in the December 27 General elections and came
third, the minister reminded him that ODM had no right to decide
for the Government who would sit on the presidential team.
Said the minister: “How can you equate yourself with Jesus, that
is blasphemy! Kalonzo has never been a disciple of Raila but his
rival. He is the VP and when you touch him with derogatory words
you should know who you are dealing with.”
Other members of the team are ministers: Martha Karua (Justice and
Constitutional Affairs), Amos Kimunya (Finance), Uhuru Kenyatta (Local
Government), George Saitoti (Internal Security) and Moses
Wetang’ula (Foreign Affairs).
Others are: Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Transport), Mbooni MP Mutula
Kilonzo, attorney general Amos Wako and any other person co-opted
by the committee as appropriate.
University of Nairobi lecturer Ludiko Chweya and director of legal
affairs at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Geoffrey Gichira Kibaara are named as joint secretaries.
Earlier, the ODM leader had said the election results were
manipulated in Nairobi resulting in electoral theft. He said the
party will insist that former UN Secretary General Koffi Annan
broker a programme for a re-run of presidential elections.
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