A disquiet is brewing in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition party with a section of leaders accusing the proponents of the political faction of alienating small parties in day and night-long meetings meant to share positions should the party win the presidency.
According to insiders who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, a secret committee to create a power sharing formula was formed after the unveiling of Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua as Raila Odinga’s running mate.
The sources revealed that the committee is primarily composed of representatives from the ruling Jubilee Party and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), who were hand-picked by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila.
The committee has been tasked with the primary responsibility of allocating government positions - elective and appointive - to the coalition partners, with the insiders noting that ODM and Jubilee were construed as the main beneficiaries.
The sources further told this publication that the representatives of the two political parties have also failed to agree on a number of key positions, one being the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, which the two main partners in the coalition are interested in.
While Jubilee wants to retain Fred Matiang’i as the Interior Cabinet Secretary, ODM wants the position to its member, with the name of former police spokesman, Charles Owino, featuring prominently.
The team is also said to have disagreed on the position of the National Assembly Speaker. Jubilee argues that the position should be reserved to it as the ODM party has already settled on Kenneth Marende for the Speaker of the Senate position.
The Jubilee Party, according to the insiders, also wants the Ministries of Health, Water and Irrigation, and Defence reserved to it. Former Chief of Defence Forces, Gen (Rtd) Julius Waweru Karangi, is President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party pick for the defence CS post, with Mutahi Kagwe being fronted to remain at the helm of the Ministry of Health.
ODM on the other hand wants Ministries of Devolution, Education, Industrialisation and Transport left to it. Raila Odinga’s right-hand man in Ukambani, governor Kivutha Kibwana, is one of those being considered for Devolution, while former UNCTAD Secretary General, Mukhisa Kituyi, is being linked to the Ministry of Industrialisation.
Regional balancing and incorporating Persons With Disabilities are also factors being used by the committee in the distribution of positions.
The sources intimated that the night-long meetings are supposed to allocate the ‘small ministries’ to the small parties that will contribute immensely to Raila’s presidency.
Interestingly, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party has not featured anywhere in the talks, according to multiple sources. The sources opined that Kalonzo will only be considered once he makes a decision to return to Azimio La Umoja.
Martha Karua, according to the insider, is at liberty to choose the person who will occupy the Office of the Attorney General, with the incumbent Paul Kihara Kariuki set to be replaced.
Daniel Arap Moi-era politician, Fred Ngumo, is also set to make a comeback as Raila Odinga’s political advisor. Former Minister and Raila Odinga loyalist, Henry Kosgey, is also being considered for the role.
Former Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KEBS) chairman, Mugambi Imanyara, has also been linked with an advisory position in the Raila Odinga government.
Even as the committee continues with its operations, Kenyans are waiting to see how Raila will reward the likes of Murang’a Woman Rep, Sabina Chege, former Gatanga Member of Parliament, Peter Kenneth, and former Nairobi Woman Rep, Rachael Shebesh, all whom are vocal in his presidential bid
