Fred Gumo appointed acting Local Govt Minister

By David Ohito

Regional Development minister Fred Gumo has been appointed to take over the ministerial duties at the ministry of Local Government in an acting capacity.

He takes over the office left vacant by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi who resigned from the post to focus his energies on his presidential bid.

As was widely expected, the plum Local Government docket was to go an experienced as ODM reorganises its house following Mudavadi’s exit.

The decision was reached after the principals of the grand coalition President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga consulted on the changes.

A one paragraph statement from State House sent to newsrooms read: “After consultations with the Prime Minister, President Kibaki has today appointed (Fred) Gumo as the acting Minister for Local Government.”

Gumo is a seasoned politician and a close ally of Raila and is seen by a section of political observers as experienced enough for the Local Government docket. He is also the MP for Westlands constituency in Nairobi County.

Mudavadi’s exit touched off jostling for positions among ODM MPs from Western province seeking rise to the powerful docket.

Gumo in past served as Chariman Narobi City Commission.