Ministers to face the axe in Cabinet reshuffle
Last updated on 24 Jun 2012 00:00
Three assistant ministers allied to ODM could be fired in the expected Cabinet reshuffle aimed at filling vacant ministerial and Permanent Secretaries’ positions.
The changes are part of a wider plot that could also see former Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura officially retired.
Muthaura stepped aside last year after the International Criminals’ Court (ICC) confirmed charges against him.
Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia who took over from Muthaura in an acting capacity is set to be confirmed as Head of Public Service.
Acting Permanent Secretaries Mutea Iringo (Internal Security), Gichira Kibaara (Justice), and Prof George Godia (Education) will also be confirmed.
A reliable source at Cabinet office has indicated that the President could also sack some PSs reported by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) as engaging in political campaigns.
“There are increasing concerns that some of these people are soiling the good name of the Government. Civil servants can’t be politicians so they will be pushed out,” said a government insider.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga is particularly under pressure from his ODM brigade to get rid of assistant ministers George Khaniri (Information and Communication), Manyala Keya (Gender), and William Cheptumo (Justice).
Vacancies
Mr Khaniri and Mr Keya have crossed over to the United Democratic Front (UDF) with Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi. Cheptumo who has survived three other reshuffles has joined Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s United Republican Party.