NEWS 2009

November 30, 2009

Quit over your stand on Mau evictions, ministers told

Stories by Peter Atsiaya, Beauttah Omanga, Philip Mwakio and Patrick Beja

By Standard Reporters

Rifts in the Cabinet have intensified with a minister challenging three colleagues to resign for opposing a Government policy.

Wildlife and Forestry Minister Noah Wekesa wants colleagues William Ruto (Agriculture), Franklin Bett (Roads) and Tourism’s Najib Balala to exit the Cabinet over their stand on Mau evictions. But three MPs John Mututho (Naivasha), Simon Mbugua (Kamukunji) and Joshua Kuttuny (Cherangany), dismissed the calls.

Dissenting ministers

Separately, Alego Usonga MP Edwin Yinda has challenged dissenting ODM ministers to quit over the Mau evictions. Mr Yinda spoke during a fundsdrive in Msambweni District on Saturday. He said those opposing the evictions sought cheap publicity.

At the same time, MPs Nicholas Gumbo, Polyns Ochieng’, Wilber Otichilo and John Mbadi told the dissenting ministers to respect collective responsibility. 

Assistant Ministers Nderitu Mureithi and Lee Kinyanjui, who were hosted by Mr Gumbo in Rarieda, said bickering portrayed the Government as divided.

"Rebelling ministers should stop diverting Kenyans’ attention from critical issues like constitution making," Gumbo said yesterday.

Mr Ochieng’ challenged Agriculture Minister William Ruto to resign instead of claiming he was ready for the sack.

SOURCE: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029281&cid=159&