Muslim leaders back Uhuru appointments

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) secretary-general Adan Wachu. He said the recent appointments of parastatal heads by President Kenyatta should not raise eyebrows as parastatal chairpersons were not involved in the day to day running of the organisations. PHOTO/FILE 

In Summary

• Supkem secretary-general Adan Wachu said the appointments should not raise eyebrows as parastatal chairpersons were not involved in the day to day running of the organisations.
• He, however, said the Head of State should ensure regional balance when appointing chief executives.
• The appointments of the 26 parastatal heads has come under immense criticism, with leaders saying women and youth were short-changed and that regional diversity was ignored.

By LUCAS BARASA
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Muslim leaders have thrown their weight behind President Kenyatta’s recent appointments of parastatal heads.

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) secretary-general Adan Wachu said the appointments should not raise eyebrows as parastatal chairpersons were not involved in the day to day running of the organisations.

“Supkem urges Kenyans to embrace one another as we cross into 2014.

We support President Kenyatta’s appointments as parastatal chairpersons only hold ceremonial positions,” Mr Wachu said.

“We call on Kenyans to recognise and accept the appointing authority,” he added.

He, however, said the Head of State should ensure regional balance when appointing chief executives.

“The people of Lamu, Mombasa, Tana River, Garissa, Isiolo, Turkana and Marsabit, where the Lapsset project passes, must be in managerial positions,” Mr Wachu said.

The appointments of the 26 parastatal heads has come under immense criticism, with leaders saying women and youth were short-changed and that regional diversity was ignored.

Meanwhile, two MPs from Narok County have joined the wave of criticism against the last week’s appointments.

Narok Senator Stephen ole Ntutu and Narok South MP Korei ole Lemein wondered why professionals from the region were not considered yet they voted for Jubilee in the March 4 election.

“These state jobs should reflect the face of Kenya and Narok County is entitled to a share of the national cake,” said Mr Lemein.

He said it is sad that the Government continues to marginalize the region in terms of jobs distribution in the government.

The president through a special Kenya Gazette appointed 26 heads of parastatals sparking protests from various communities which have alleged a plot by the Government to marginalize them.

Ntutu said, to appreciate the Narok residents, the jubilee government should employ professionals from the County.

He alleged that there was a scheme by the government to sack Mark ole Karbolo as the Portland cement company chairman.

“We will not accept such scheme if the aim of the government was to remove our professionals from such positions,” said Ntutu.

Lemein urged President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Rutto to appoint elites from the region and urged the local leaders to come together regardless of their political affiliations to develop the area