Yusuf haji appointed acting Internal Security Minister

By Martin Mutua

President Kibaki has appointed Defence Minister Mohammed Yusuf Haji acting Internal Security Minister.

Haji who is also the Ijara MP steps into the sensitive ministry for the next one week while the Head of state will be out of the country attending a United Nations environmental conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The seat fell vacant following the death of his predecessor Prof George Saitoti who died in a helicopter crash together with his assistant Orwa Ojode last week. The two were buried over the weekend.

Also, a team that will oversee the transition of the current government to a devolved system has now been assembled.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga appointed Mr Kinuthia Mwangi Wamwangi to chair the Transition Authority team that comprises eight other members.

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The include Angeline Awino Hongo, Safia Abdi, Mary Mwongeli Ndeto, Jacqueline Akhalemesi Mogeni, Erastus B.i. Nyaga Rweria, Simeon Pkatey Pkiyach, Bakari Garise Omar, Dabar Abdi Maalim

In a statement issued Monday night by the Presidential Press Service, the head of state announced that the appointments were in exercise conferred to him by section 5(1)(a) and first schedule to the transition to devolved government act 2012.

The team is the first of its kind since Kenya attained independence in 1963, as it will be responsible to ensure that the current head of state hands over power smoothly to the next.

In the past top government officials and power brokers in government have been responsible for dealing with such matters and as result the process was open to political shenanigans.

The nominees who were also endorsed by parliament last week will facilitate and coordinate the transition to the devolved government.

Their names were tabled before the house by the departmental committee on Local authorities.

The Authority is charged with preparing and validating an inventory of all the existing assets and liabilities of government, other public entities and local authorities.

It will provide mechanisms of the transfer of assets which may include vetting the transfer assets during the transitional period.