Raila’s ‘major announcement’ that never was - He said he would sack but launched a "wait and see" event.

March 28th, 2009

Raila (below) explains coalition problems, saying he and Kibaki have no room for corruption, but they (the two principals) are yet to axe corrupt participants in government as the public look for action sooner rather than later. The PM must act now if he is looking for the top seat in 2012. He must show he is firm in what he says even if coalition government is new for Kenyans as he has stated while making an effort to educate the media and the Kenyans on the difficulties coalition governments face from time to time. (API)

By Standard on Saturday Team

They raised hope among Kenyans the axe would fall on corrupt ministers and top public servants, but in the end it seemed there was no chopping board.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga radiated confidence the rope was tightening around the necks of the corrupt and those rocking the Grand Coalition. But yesterday, it seemed either there was no rope, or the thief’s date with the guillotine is still far away.

That was the enduring message President Kibaki and Raila sent across a nation that had been kept on the edge, expecting heads would roll. Kibaki was in Eldoret discharging his functions as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, but made no mention of his threat on March 17 to ministers dissatisfied with the Coalition leadership that they either shape up, ship out, or he would sack them.

"If you are a minister and you are dissatisfied with the Government, you either quit, be quiet or I will sack you,’’ were Kibaki’s words that raised the nation’s conviction the process of restoring order and discipline in the coalition had arrived.

From left, Environment Minister John Michuki, US Ambassador Michael Rannerberger, German envoy Walter Lindner and Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura at the KICC, Friday. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

But it was Raila who built on it, raising a par that he could not jump over yesterday when asked exactly when the corrupt and the wayward would be sacked. But may be he would make the final leap later for the week, with two days to go.

But yesterday when his own word drew the national attention to his live conference, there was nothing resembling the ‘major announcement’ he promised on Tuesday when he said he would, "make a major announcement". The statement was expected to show the Government’s commitment to fighting corruption, which would include the sacking of heads of State corporations implicated in graft.

Raila sidestepped direct questions on his live television broadcast when asked by KTN reporter IsabelLa Kituri when he and the President would take the "decisive action".

Raila raised expectations last Saturday when on a tour of the South Rift he told his supporters a higher post awaited Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones – widow of the late Roads Minister Kipkalya Kones – that she was just "warming her current seat".

Raila reinforced it with the blunt statement he and the President had agreed on sackings: "I know you think we cannot sack but we have agreed it will be done."

Closing Ranks

The two leaders appeared to close ranks against rebels in the Cabinet and those allegedly involved in corruption.

By last Thursday, talk of a Cabinet reshuffle was even eminent with Raila more categorical heads of those implicated in graft would soon roll.

That is what glued Kenyans onto the live broadcast, Raila’s first as PM, and attended by, among others, the President’s staunchest Cabinet allies John Michuki, Amos Kimunya and Kiraitu Murungi. Also present was the Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura whom Raila’s party accuses of usurping the PM’s powers and frustrating their wing of the ruling coalition.

From Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement was only one minister –Anyang’ Nyong’o.

Raila criticised the media arguing it has given too much attention to the clashing views expressed by Cabinet members forgetting it is the nature of coalitions.

"The Grand Coalition still remains the marriage of the odd couple. I am aware many are despondent about what they see as lack of harmony and progress in this marriage. But as a government, we have taken significant steps to move the country forward,’’ he said.

He added: "I do not seek to lay blame. We don’t want to go backwards. But equally we do not want the past to cast a long shadow over our future. We must do better.’’

He gave journalists ‘dossier’ on corruption, which was literally a summarised brief the corruption cases the media have been reporting and over which the public has been calling for ‘decisive action’.

Raila also downplayed the levels of official corruption, saying the reported cases pale in comparison to those of the previous administrations – Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing Scandals.

On the controversial sale and subsequent change of Grand Regency Hotel’s name Raila said: "It was not about money lost but the money which would have been made.’’ But he added the matter was still being probed.

Former Bitter Rivals

His was an audit of the coalition and its tricky place as it is an amalgamation of two former bitter rivals and he asked Kenyans to be patient. But the nation wanted to see action on cases of corruption and impunity as manifested in some incidents of flagrant abuse of office and extra-judicial killings.

Earlier confirmation by close allies of the two leaders was a reshuffle and realignment of government functions were on the cards.

"I am not sure who the targets of the reshuffle would be but it may be used to silence dissent in ODM and PNU ranks, "Lands Minister James Orengo told The Standard, last Sunday.

The following is the burning question he was asked and his intriguing answer:

Q: President Kibaki and you have said you will sack ministers. When are we going to see decisive action to sack ministers implicated in corruption and to reign in on bickering in the Cabinet?

The dossiers I will make public today have details of cases for which investigations have been done and action taken although that has not been made public. It is not like nothing is being done. There is action taken against some public officials…

This is not a one-party government and there are issues that partners will disagree publicly about. There is nothing we can do about that. It is only that Kenyans are used to the one-party rule and the media, too, must learn to grow up with the times.

In short, Kenyans still have a long wait to see ‘decisive action’ they sought and which Raila this week took them too close to.

source.standard.ke