President Kibaki’s recent appointment of County Commissioners to 47 counties caused a storm in Parliament with MPs questioning whether he acted within the Constitution.

Tempers flared as members demanded immediate revocation of the appointments until consensus is built on the matter.

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti found himself in trouble when he attempted to defend the President’s appointments. He clarified that it was redeployment of serving officers in the Provincial Administration.

Prof Saitoti was issuing a ministerial statement sought by four members over the appointments.

MPs led by Bundalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba forced the minister to withdrew his statement that the appointments were in line with Section 24 of the old Constitution, which he had claimed gave the President express authority to carry out administrative functions.

“I withdraw that part of my statement that the appointments were done in line with section 24 of the old Constitution. The President was carrying out his administrative authority by redeploying the officers as County Commissioners,” said Saitoti.

MPs John Mbadi, Rachel Shebesh, Millie Odhiambo-Mabona, Jakoyo Midiwo, Isaac Ruto and Danson Mungatana maintained that the appointments were unconstitutional and demanded immediate revocation.

During the debate that was punctuated with numerous Points of Order, Molo MP Joseph Kiuna was thrown out over misconduct.

Members claimed that the President’s handlers had misadvised him to make the appointments and added that this was motivated by certain individuals in the Government out to frustrate the devolution process.

“The President has been misadvised by people in Government who want to stage a coup on the formation of the county governments. They want to defile devolution before it even takes place. Part of their gameplan is to resist this transformation,” claimed Namwamba.

The heated debate saw Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim step in and take over from the Temporary Speaker Joyce Laboso, who appeared overwhelmed by members. Maalim will rule on the matter next Wednesday.

– Stories by Steve Mkawale, Allan Kisia and Peter Opiyo