Separately, Raila met ODM ministers for several hours ahead of the
party's two-day retreat beginning Friday. The controversial power
sharing is likely to be revisited and, more controversially, the future
of Chief Justice Evan Gicheru.
And PNU announced a meeting of their own this morning to discuss, among
other things, the possibility of affiliates merging to consolidate
their future prospects.
Speaking for the first time about the state of the Coalition
Government, Kibaki said: "I want to assure you that Raila and myself,
these two groups (ODM and PNU) we will succeed," Kibaki said at St
Andrew's Church in Nairobi where he attended the installation of the
Right Rev David Gathanju as the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of
East Africa. He replaces Dr David Githii.
Optimistic and reassuring, the President told off Church leaders and
other factions calling for an early General Election. He urged them to
give the coalition a chance to salvage the worrying situation.
"We will succeed despite anybody who wants to separate us," insisted
the President, as he reprimanded Church leaders who have been preaching
despair and divisive politics.
Kibaki urged the Church to lead in bringing necessary reforms instead
of urging the people to agitate for another General Election.
"It is not your role to discourage us," Kibaki castigated the Church.
"Your role is to pray for us, and more especially for yourself, to be
helpful so we can move forward," he said.
The President appeared to be in high spirit as he called on the nation
to count on its blessings rather than decrying the challenges.
Clear message
Accompanied by the Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura, Internal
Security Ministry PS Francis Kimemia, his private secretary Nick
Wanjohi, and Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni, the President's message was
clear:
"Let everybody think what we can do to help our neighbours I am very
depressed whenever I hear many people express despair and more so when
such people are in the Church when they should be preaching I
wonder where such people come from," Kibaki admonished.
He however appreciated the religious leaders' concerns about governance
issues and the stalled Agenda Four, promising to "listen to them and to
act on constructive ideas and criticism".
"However, we must as Kenyans be wary of propaganda that can easily
create despondency among our people, thereby diverting their attention
from tasks of development and nation building," he added.
Kibaki did not spare politicians either, telling them: "You do not want
to continue to believe in nonsense spoken by very grown up people"
The President said the challenges facing the country "require concerted
efforts by all leaders so that the welfare of the people of Kenya
continues to improve."
But ODM legislators have other priorities, as shown from the core
issues up for discussion at the weekend retreat, and where they are to
lay strategy for the next session in Parliament.
ODM parliamentary group secretary Ababu Namwamba said the party would
be pushing for full implementation of the National Accord, and
institutional reforms, among other issues.
Namwamba said already, the party's strategic committee had met and agreed on the agenda.
Other issues to be deliberated include ODM's place in the Coalition
Government, wrangles in the coalition's management, and the way forward
in fulfilling promises it made in its 2007 General Election manifesto.
"We will be demanding the PM and the four National Dialogue and
Reconciliation Committee ODM representatives table to the MPs the
original deal and what it entails," said Nominated MP Rachael Shebesh.
She added: "We are not sure if we know all that was discussed and what
Dr Kofi Annan and other mediators resolved was to be shared on 50-50
basis."
A fortnight ago, Raila complained of reluctance to implement the power
sharing accord. He also blamed Kibaki for setting his juniors to
undermine him.
But the Prime Minister appeared to tone down the criticism at the weekend by saying he and Kibaki would resolve the issues.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka joined the debate saying he would not mind if his salary were reduced.
An MP who spoke on condition of anonymity said ODM would consider discussing the CJ, following a Law Society of Kenya petition.
"The LSK has approached a number of liked-minded MPs, mainly in ODM, to
consider moving a private or a party Motion to discuss the CJ. We will
be discussing it if time allows during our retreat even though it is
not a priority," said the MP.
Issue won't feature
Namwamba said contrary to calls by MPs to have the ODM Pentagon disbanded the issue will not feature.
He explained that the Pentagon was not a party organ but a grouping of
respected party officials who are consulted on key issues by the party
leader.
During the party's last retreat at the same venue in September, last
year, Raila warned dissenting MPs against defecting to regional parties
and formed a disciplinary organ to deal with rebels.
Last evening Raila met ministers and assistant ministers allied to ODM, for several hours at his Treasury office starting 3pm.
The agenda for the meeting could not be immediately confirmed although
it was widely seen as laying the ground for revived talks with PNU on
the management of the Coalition.
The Standard
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