Lobby, MPs unite to oppose latest appointments

By  Philip Mwakio

Civil society and political leaders at the Coast have opposed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent public sector appointments, terming them illegal and insensitive to women and the region.

 Like most critics across the Coast, region leaders and civil society were especially unhappy with the appointment of former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura as chairman of the Lappset Corridor Management Authority.

Many local leaders have been anticipating former Matuga MP Chirau Ali Mwakwere would be chosen to Muthaura’s new office and yesterday an MP said this post should have gone to “someone from the Coast with knowledge of maritime issues,” in apparent reference to the former Transport minister who lost the Kwale senatorial race.

 Mombasa based human rights agency Haki Africa asked the President to rescind his appointments.

Through its Executive Director Hussein Khalid, Haki Africa said the President awarded mediocrity instead of merit.

 “As an organisation championing for human rights, we wish to go on record and oppose these appointments since they clearly appear to be reward to political loyalists  and not professionals who can deliver,’’ Khalid said.

 He added that a  good number of those appointed are ex-politicians who failed to make it politically but are now being rewarded with government jobs.

Gender rule

Khalid said the appointments did not fulfil the one third gender rule.

“The appointments do not also meet the one third gender threshold as required by the Constitution and do not consider the youth factor as well as regional representation,’’ he said.

Mvita MP Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir claimed President Kenyatta’s appointments go against the spirit of promoting the young professionals who he said now dominate the Senate and National Assembly.

“The country needs fresh minds and new ideas,” he said, and claimed that Kenya “needs to move forward by unchaining itself from past ideas”.

According to the Mvita MP, the Government was “recycling un-recyclabe leaders”, adding the appointment betrays the Government’s opposition to new ideas including devolution and freedom.

The MP threatened to seek a censure of the President in the National Assembly.

Lamu MP Shakila Abdalla said  she expected Uhuru to appoint someone from the Coast who understands maritime issues to head Lapsset since it largely concentrates on development of a port at the Coast.

New port

She said the 26 posts should have been advertised, adding that Muthaura’s appointment demonstrates the Government’s alleged disregard for Lamu peoples’ concern over the proposed new port.

And Lamu East MP Athman Ali Sharif accused the President of kowtowing to wrong advice to reach the new appointments. He said the appointments run contrary to the devolution spirit, adding that Lapsset should be led by “a resident of Lamu”.

Others who opposed the appointments were Mombasa County MP Mishi Mboko, who claimed the appointments discriminated against women. She said only two women were in the list of 26.

Kilifi South MP Mustafa Iddi and Malindi MP Gideon Mung’aro and Taita Taveta County MP Joyce Lay Wanjala also opposed the new appointments.

 And Genesis for Human Rights  Programme officer Caleb Ngwena joined in calls  persuading the Head of  State to annul the appointments.