Balala Out as Eugene replaces Mutula

Raila on the other hand threw out of Cabinet Mr Najib Balala, who only last week described his Orange Democratic Movement as dictatorial and announced he too, like Eldoret North MP William Ruto, was just technically in ODM but that he would bolt out at any time. In his place came another ODM MP close to Raila and who has featured in his political forays across the country, Mr Danson Mwazo, also from the Coast like Balala. Mwaso is the Voi legislator.

But interestingly, and perhaps in appreciation that The Hague’s case against Uhuru and three other Kenyans, may take longer to resolve and the remaining appeal may not yield much, Kibaki removed the tag of acting Finance minister from Mr Njeru Githae’s name.

Now he fully replaces Uhuru at the Treasury but the Gatundu North MP remains a Deputy Prime Minister, but this too may slip off his hands if he loses the last remaining appeal against full trial at The Hague alongside Eldoret North MP William Ruto, former Head of Civil Service Mr Francis Muthaura, and Kass FM’s Head of Operations Mr Joshua Arap Sang.

The changes also saw Prof Sam Ongeri, a Kanu member and one of the President’s trusted allies who he handpicked for the peace-making ‘Serena Talks’ chaired by Dr Kofi Annan in 2008, move to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The previous holder, Mr Moses Wetangula, for whom the Government chartered a plane to spirit out of Mali where he got stuck following a military coup, was moved to Ministry of Trade, which until Monday as in the hands of Mr Ali Chirau Mwakwere, who moved to Environment.

Foreign Affairs

The reshuffle will see Prof Ongeri play a greater role in a ministry (Foreign Affairs) that is key in the ICC trials, as he shall sit in the Cabinet sub-committee on the ICC.

Apart from dropping Balala and bringing in Mwazo, Raila appears to have had no other business to settle in Cabinet, because he remains with an acting Minister for Industrialisation (Mr Amason Jeffer Kingi). Kingi, also from ODM and Coast like Mwazo and Balala, is holding brief for ODM Chairman Mr Henry Kosgei, who though having survived The Hague trials at the confirmation stage, has a case in a local court, which forced him to step aside from Cabinet.

This means the bulk of the changes, going by the power-sharing deal signed by Raila and Kibaki in 2008 where both have to consult and agree on changes affecting those they appoint to the Cabinet, were largely by Kibaki himself.

In the case of Mutula who comes from the VP’s WDM, which is a partner of President’s Party of National Unity in the Grand Coalition, it is likely the President moved him after consulting Kalonzo.

Interestingly, though Mutula has many times contradicted Kalonzo especially over his shuttle diplomacy against ICC and the many attempts by Kibaki to get Kenya off The Hague radar, the VP was under pressure from his party to initiate his removal from Cabinet. Kalonzo, however, declined to bow to the pressure, probably because the possible political backlash it may spark nationally and in his Ukambani backyard. But as it is, Mutula goes to Jogoo House, where Kalonzo also served as the sun set on Kanu, which he served as the Organising Secretary for many years.

In picking Kamau and Wamalwa from the backbenches to Cabinet, the President appeared to focus on the PNU’s backbenchers’ in the House. In following age-old tradition, Kibaki replaced Michuki with a man from Murang’a, and Raila kicked out Balala and brought in a new minister from Coast.

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