KENYA'S GRAND COALITION CABINET UNVEILED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 NAIROBI 000989

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA'S GRAND COALITION CABINET UNVEILED

REF: NAIROBI 960 and others


1. President Mwai Kibaki unveiled a 40 member grand
coalition cabinet on April 13, 2008 in a televised speech
to the nation. The text of the speech, containing the list
of Ministries, Ministers, and Assistant Ministers, follows.
An analysis of the cabinet and challenges ahead will follow
septel.


2. Begin text.

Fellow Kenyans,

I know that you have all been anxious to see the conclusion
of the consultations on the formation of the new Coalition
Government. I am therefore pleased to announce that
following extensive consultations within the coalition, and
taking into consideration the current challenges facing the
country as well as the need to ensure regional balance in
the leadership of this country, I am today announcing the
Cabinet of the Grand Coalition Government.

Fellow Kenyans,

The outcome of the General Elections brought to the fore
unprecedented political challenges. The situation has
required Statesmanship and sacrifices for the sake of
national peace and unity.

The enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation
Act, 2008 and the agreement on the Cabinet underscores the
commitment of our nation's leadership to put the collective
interest of the country and our people above everything
else.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Raila Odinga,
the Prime Minister Designate and all the political leaders
throughout the country for upholding the spirit of
dialogue, which enabled us to unlock the political
deadlock.

I also commend the religious leadership, trade unions,
human and professional bodies in our country that have
supported dialogue and reconciliation to ensure that a
peaceful settlement is concluded within the shortest time
possible.

Furthermore, I thank the mediators led by His Excellency
Kofi Annan as well as friendly countries which have
supported and encouraged us to overcome the political
challenges we have been experiencing.

Above all, I want to thank you, my fellow Kenyans, for your
tolerance and patience throughout this period. I want to
assure you all that I will do everything possible to ensure
that our country Kenya, is steered along the path of peace,
unity and stability.

Fellow Kenyans,

The multiparty politics that this country has embraced over
the last 17 years has posed serious challenges to our
national cohesion.

But the experience we have gained over the years, and this
period in particular, has enabled us to overcome the
difficulties, while we undertake necessary reforms to
ensure that our country and people will be assured of
living in a secure, cohesive and prosperous nation.

The enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation
Act, and the announcement of the new Cabinet today,
demonstrates the commitment of the political leadership to
move ahead and pay more attention to addressing the
challenges facing our country and people.

Foremost, is the plight of our people - men, women and
children - evicted from their homes and farms by the recent
mindless violence and hooliganism. In that regard, my
government has increased security presence in the affected
areas in order to prevent a recurrence of the violence and
mayhem.


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We are also facilitating the displaced people to resettle
back on their farms as we support them and the surrounding
communities with farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers.
The new Cabinet will prioritize resettlement of the
displaced people so that they can resume normal lives and
play their part in nation-building.

I urge Cabinet members to spearhead the message of peace in
all the affected areas.

Another area, is the need to ensure equal opportunities for
all our people. In this respect, when I took over the
leadership of this country, I pledged to commit more
resources for the development of the Arid and Semi-Arid
areas of our country which have in the past suffered
neglect due to inadequate resources provisions and poor
infrastructure.

In the Cabinet I am announcing today, I have therefore
created a new Ministry for the development of Northern
Kenya and other Arid Lands in order to focus on and address
the unique challenges facing these areas.

The expanded Cabinet also introduces new Ministries to give
priority attention to areas that are critical to the
transformation of our country into a newly industrialized
nation status. These include the Ministries of
Industrialization, Planning and Vision TWENTY-THIRTY, and
Nairobi Metropolitan Development.

Finally, I wish to reiterate and emphasize that all Kenyans
enjoy equal rights under the law. In this respect, we
cannot allow or tolerate discrimination of a Kenyan in
whatever form. Every citizen must enjoy the right to work
and to reap the benefits of his or her labour anywhere in
the country without hindrance.

And therefore, the attitude, especially among some leaders,
that communities should be restricted to particular areas
or that some Kenyans can be perceived to be foreigners in
some parts of the country is backward and unacceptable.

As we welcome foreign nationals to partner with us in
developing our country, so must we welcome and embrace one
another as brothers and sisters. Indeed, it is through such
interaction that our country and communities can tap skills
that will spur development.

The key to addressing the challenge of poverty is hard work
to generate wealth and expand employment opportunities. So,
my challenge to the new Cabinet Members and the entire
national leadership at all levels is: let us put politics
aside and get to work.

Let us build a new Kenya where justice is our shield and
defender, and where peace, liberty and plenty will be found
throughout our country.

I now announce the new Cabinet as follows:


1. Office of the President

Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and
Internal Security
- Minister: Hon. Professor George Saitoti
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Simon Lesirma
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Joshua Orwa Ojode

Ministry of State for Defence
- Minister: Hon. Yusuf Haji
- Assistant Minister: Hon. David Musila
- Assistant Minister: Hon. General (Rtd) Joseph Nkaisserry


2. Office of the Vice President
Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs:
- Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Lorna Laboso

Ministry of State for Immigration and Registration of
Persons
- Minister: Hon. Gerald Otieno Kajwang'
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Francis Baya


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Ministry of State for National Heritage & Culture:
- Minister: Hon. William Ole Ntimama
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Joel Onyancha Omagwa


3. Office of the Prime Minister:
- Prime Minister: Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Alfred. Khang'ati

Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and
Vision Twenty Thirty:
- Minister: Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Peter Kenneth

Ministry of State for Public Service:
- Minister: Hon. Dalmas Anyango Otieno
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Aden Ahmed Sugow


4. Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Trade:
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade: Hon. Uhuru
Kenyatta
- Assistant Minister: Hon. James Omingo Magara


5. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of
Local Government
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government:
Hon. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Robison Njeru Githae


6. Ministry of East African Community
- Minister: Hon. Amason Kingi Jeffah
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Peter Munya


7. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Minister: Hon. Moses Wetangula
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Richard Momoima Onyonka


8. Ministry of Finance
- Minister: Hon. Amos Kimunya
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Dr. Oburu Oginga


9. Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and
Constitutional Affairs
- Minister: Hon. Martha Karua
- Assistant Minister: Hon. William Cheptumo Kipkorir


10. Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development
- Minister: Hon. Mutula Kilonzo
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Elizabeth Ongoro Masha


11. Ministry of Roads
- Minister: Hon. Kipkalya Kones
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Wilfred Machage
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Lee Kinyanjui


12. Ministry of Public Works
- Minister: Hon. Chris Obure
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Dickson Wathika Mwangi


13. Ministry of Transport
- Minister: Hon. Chirau Ali Makwere
- Assistant Minister: Hon. John Harun Mwau


14. Ministry of Water and Irrigation
- Minister: Hon. Charity Kaluki Ngilu
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri


15. Ministry of Regional Development Authorities
- Minister: Hon. Fredrick Omulo Gumo
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Judah Katoo Ole Metito


16. Information & Communications
- Minister: Hon. Samuel Poghisio
- Assistant Minister: Hon. George Munyasa Khaniri
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana


17. Ministry of Energy
- Minister: Hon. Kiraitu Murungi
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Charles Keter
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Maalim Mohamud Mohamed


18. Ministry of Lands
- Minister: Hon. Aggrey James Orengo
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Silvester Wakoli Bifwoli

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- Assistant Minister: Hon. Samwel Gonzi Rai


19. Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
- Minister: Hon. John Michuki
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Jackson Kiplagati Kiptanui


20. Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife
- Minister: Hon. Noah Wekesa
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Josphat Koli Nanok


21. Ministry of Tourism
- Minister: Hon. Mohamed Najib Balala
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Cecily Mtito Mbarire


22. Ministry of Agriculture
- Minister: Hon. William Samoei Ruto
- Assistant Minister: Hon Japhet Kareke Mbiuki
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Gideon Musyoka Ndambuki


23. Ministry of Livestock Development
- Minister: Hon. Mohamed Abdi Kuti
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Bare Aden Duale


24. Ministry of Fisheries Development
- Minister: Hon. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Mohamed Abu Abuchiaba


25. Ministry of Development of Northern Kenya and other
Arid Lands
- Minister: Hon. Ibrahim Elmi Mohamed
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Hussein Tarry Sasura


26. Ministry of Cooperatives Development
- Minister: Hon. Joseph Nyagah
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Linah Jebii Kilimo


27. Ministry of Industrialization
- Minister: Hon. Henry Kiprono Kosgey
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Ndiritu Murithi


28. Ministry of Housing
- Minister: Hon. Peter Soita Shitanda
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Bishop Margaret Wanjiru Kariuki


29. Ministry of Special Programmes
- Minister: Hon. Dr. Naomi Namsi Shabani
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Mohamed Muhamud Ali


30. Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs
- Minister: Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge
- Assistant Minister Hon. Atanas Manyala Keya


31. Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
- Minister: Hon. Hon. Beth Wambui Mugo
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Dr. James Ondicho Gesami


32. Ministry of Medical Services
- Minister: Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Danson Buya Mungatana


33. Ministry of Labour
- Minister: Hon. John Kiyonga Munyes
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Sospeter Ojamaa Ojamong'


34. Ministry of Youth and Sports
- Minister: Hon. Dr. Helen Jepkemoi Sambili
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Wavinya Ndeti
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Kabando wa Kabando


35. Ministry of Education
- Minister: Hon. Samson Kegeo Ongeri
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Prof. Patrick Ayiecho Olweny
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Andrew Calist Mwatela


36. Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
- Minister: Hon. Dr. Sally Jepngetich Kosgey
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Kilemi Mweria
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Asman Abongotum Kamama


37. Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General: Hon. Amos Wako


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Thank you, God Bless you all and God Bless Kenya.
End text.
RANNEBERGER