ODM MPs who attended a homecoming for Nambale MP Chris Okemo claimed the party got a raw deal in the Grand Coalition Government, but Mr Marende told them to serve Kenyans and stop crying foul since they were in Government.
"Dr Annan should be respected because there could be no Government today if it were not for his personal initiative," he said.
Agriculture Minister William Ruto, who was present, said leaders should serve the public instead of debating the establishment of a tribunal.
"We have to decide whether Kenya should be led on a reverse gear or it should go ahead."
Environment Minister John Michuki, speaking in Murang'a, also defended President Kibaki. "The President is firmly in control. People should be satisfied that an able leader is in office. Foreigners must keep off our internal affairs," he said.
Separately, Co-operative Minister Joseph Nyagah warned of a repeat of post-election violence in 2012 if a new constitution was not enacted.
Speaking after opening the Diocese of Meru Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited, Mr Nyagah said: "The leaders, me included, are very selfish. Instead of focusing on solving the problems affecting the people, some of us have already hit the 2012 campaign trail for the presidency."
Envoy pleased
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger has urged the youth to agitate for a fast implementation of reforms by the Grand Coalition Government.
Mr Ranneberger said although the US was pleased with the progress made by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga after the signing of the Peace Accord last year, a lot more needed to be done.
"We know it is not easy to change the culture of impunity that has existed for the past 45 years. It requires patience, but the youth in this country must peacefully pressure the Government to speed up the slow pace of reforms," he said in Nakuru on Sunday.
The envoy was speaking at Peace Walk and the induction of 500 peace ambassadors at the Nakuru Showground as part of the events to mark the first anniversary of the Grand Coalition Government.
"It is up to the youth, church leaders, the civil society and NGOs to hold the country's leadership accountable and ensure that reforms in the Peace Accord are implemented," he said.
Ranneberger said the reform agenda was crucial and politicians must not be left to carry it out at their own pace.
Nakuru Town MP and Roads Assistant Minister Lee Kinyanjui challenged the coalition Government to resettle those displaced by post-election violence and implement reforms.
"If our institutions remain the same, we should expect the worst in 2012. Prof Philip Alston's report should be taken seriously as it exposed the weaknesses that have existed for years in some of our institutions," he said.
KHCHR urged Kenyans to be brave even against the backdrop of poor performance of the Government.
The human rights watchdog urged Kenyans to rise up and challenge the system.
"As citizens, we owe it to ourselves and our children's children to seize whatever space that is generated by constitutional and institutional reforms to make positive contributions that would enhance the protection and respect of human rights," said KNCHR in a statement.
The commission blamed politicians for failure to establish a local tribunal to try instigators of post-election violence, but asked Kenyans not to despair.
Read the statement: "The bewildering factionalism witnessed among our parliamentarians, the decline in public trust, and the suffocation of the moderate voice should not overwhelm us."
 The Standard
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