Kibaki appoints Kalonzo to lead Govt business

President Kibaki has written to House Speaker Kenneth Marende appointing Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka as the Leader of Government Business.

A row over the matter almost paralysed operations of Parliament last year.

Parliamentary sources told The Standard Kibaki, through the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura, had yesterday written to Mr Marende informing him of the development.

The Speaker could not be reached by the time of going to press as he was chairing the House Business Committee.

Kalonzo, who is currently attending a conference in China, is expected to take up the position once he returns next week.

When Kibaki appointed Kalonzo to the position soon after the National Accord become operational, Prime Minister Raila Odinga wrote to the Speaker appointing himself as the Leader of Government business.

Marende then ruled he would take over the chairmanship of the powerful House Business Committee.

Traditionally, the important slot has been chaired by the Leader of Government Business.

No business was being generated from the committee and therefore Parliament could not sit to conduct its business.

There have also been incidents where Cabinet ministers have come under attack for failing to attend sessions in the House to answer members’ questions.

The Speaker did not have any particular person he could direct his outrage at for lack of Leader of Government Business in the House.

Government Chief Whips Jakoyo midiwo (ODM) and former Juja MP George Thuo, who has since been replaced by Johnstone Muthama (PNU) have been acting in that position on a rotational basis. Thuo lost his parliamentary seat last month in an election petition.