By ISAAC ONGIRI

The vacuum left behind by the sudden death of Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode must be among the things uppermost in the two principals’ minds as they mourn the two ministers.

With heightened security challenges domestically and increased terror threats from Al Shabaab, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga must be thinking hard on where to get two safe pair of hands on which to lay the country’s most powerful ministerial portfolio.

Saitoti was among Kibaki’s most trusted allies, and Ojode also enjoyed a close working relationship with the President. Indeed, the late MP for Ndhiwa was the only trusted ODM MP inside the Kibaki circles.

A strong personality, energetic, firm and trustworthy individual is what Kibaki will be looking for as he seeks to find replacement for Saitoti in the homeland security docket as Kenya prepares for the General Election.

The President would probably want to use the opportunity to spur ethnic balance in the State security team dominated by individuals from one region.

He could also ignore national cries for ethnic balance at the sensitive docket and get one of his trusted allies from Mt Kenya into the crucial docket.

Already, Transport Minister Amos Kimunya has been mentioned as the man Kibaki would possibly want to move from Transcom House to the centre of power at Harambee House to replace Saitoti. Also being touted for the Internal Security post is Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, a longtime Kibaki ally.

But still others say it is Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella, a retired army colonel with international bomb handling training background, Kibaki could invite into the Cabinet to continue from where Saitoti left off.

Konchella, one of Saitoti’s confidantes, served as Immigration Minister in the Narc Government.

Assistant Minister Katoo ole Metito, closely linked to the increasingly influential Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, has also been mentioned as Saitoti’s possible replacement.

Though it is highly likely that the principals could pick an MP from the Maa community to replace Saitoti, Kibaki could initiate a Cabinet reshuffle to trigger some balance.

Embarrassing situation
The reshuffling could give the two principals an opportunity to address an embarrassing situation at the Foreign Affairs docket where the minister, Sam Ongeri, and Assistant, Richard Onyonka, come from Kisii County.

The late Saitoti who died in the Sunday crash was an MP from Kajiado County where he represented Kajiado North.

“This nation has lost two patriots, trustworthy, dependable, people of integrity and who defended this nation. The enthusiasm with which the two carried out issues of national security was remarkable,” said Assistant Minister Joseph ole Nkaissery.

Most MPs were shy discussing the replacement of the two fallen leaders whose working chemistry in the Grand Coalition Government where ministers and their assistants don’t often get along was an example to emulate.

Assistant Minister Mwangi Kiunjuri had, for instance, to be moved from the Water ministry after a standoff with her boss, Charity Ngilu. Medical Services Assistant Minister Kazungu Kambi has also lately been at war with Anyang’ Nyongo, who heads the ministry.

His closeness with Kibaki at one time made the President to disown his wife, Lucy, after she disparaged the late minister over the Chasangwan fire disaster.

And even in death, the President said of him: “Prof Saitoti was one of my most competent ministers.”
“He has been a very effective representative of the Coalition Government, and he was handling a very difficult docket – the police. We are going to greatly miss him as a House,” said Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga will also be hard-pressed to get a competent person to replace the indefatigable Ojode.

Expectations are high in Homa Bay County where Ojode hailed from that the slot would be returned there.

But already Homa Bay has Otieno Kajwang who is in charge of the Immigration docket, while Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, who is the Minister for Public Service, represents neighbouring Migori.

That distribution could give Raila a free hand in picking Ojode’s successor as central Nyanza is represented by Ugenya MP James Orengo, who holds the Lands docket.

Some of those thought to be Ojode’s likely replacements include Nyakach MP Pollyns Ochieng and his Gwasi counterpart John Mbadi.
“The PM will not have any difficulty because we have so many competent MPs from Nyanza anybody he calls will complete Ojode’s wish,” Ochieng’ said.
Nyatike MP Omondi Onyanga, who may also make the shortlist of Ojode’s heirs at the Internal Security ministry.

“He had mastered the job and demonstrated unimaginable great commitment.  He was so competent that some of us admired the gusto with which he handled his work,” Anyanga said.

While Mbadi and Ochieng’ match Ojode in their eloquence, Anyanga is said to have a mastery of State bureaucracy, having worked in the public service for years.

So who will get Kibaki and Raila’s nod to manage the police, take charge of State intelligence, and command the Provincial Administration?