Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi (L) and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki. PHOTOS | FILE
NATION MEDIA GROUP
The appointment of 26 parastatal heads by President Kenyatta has continued to attract criticism.
Most leaders said women and youth were short-changed and regional diversity was ignored.
National
Gender and Equality Commission chairperson Winfred Lichuma said the
appointments went against gender and inclusion principles envisaged in
the Constitution.
“We are disturbed that the
appointments appear to fly in the face of gender equality and inclusion
principles for the women, youth and persons with disability as espoused
by the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” she said
.
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DISMISSED CRITICS
However,
Loitoktok MP Katoo ole Metito dismissed those saying the appointments
focused on two communities, arguing with 42 tribes in the country, there
was no way the President could satisfy all of them.
“I
am sure more ethnic balance will be portrayed in composition of the
boards of the 26 corporations and there should be no cause for worry,”
he said.
In a twist, the MP faulted the appointments on
account that youth and women appeared to be left out, adding that,
board of director compositions should have 70 per cent from the two
groups to make up for the shortfall.
Mr Metito also
defended the appointment of former Head of Public Service Francis
Muthaura, saying the Lamu port project required experienced hands in
public administration, saying he would be able to handle the
intra-county and inter-governments coordination required to see the
project through.
The youth were also not left out as
the National Youth Council asked the President to revoke the
appointments and seek wider consultations before selection.
The
Council’s chairman, Mr Clement Ayungo said youth and women should each
get a third of the posts, with five per cent going to the disabled.
Elsewhere,
Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi said the appointment of retirees like Mr
Muthaura was a sign the Jubilee government was reneging on the promise
to offer youth more jobs.
Speaking to Journalists on
Monday in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, Mr Sudi said: “While doing
our campaigns, we as leaders of the Jubilee Coalition told Kenyans that
30 per cent of government appointments would go to the youth, but I am
personally saddened and disappointed by the President’s appointment of
Muthaura,” he said.
Adding weight to the criticism,
Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa faulted the Jubilee government for abandoning
its allies, former Constitutional Affairs minister Eugene Wamalwa and
UDF leader Musalia Mudavadi, in the key appointments.
But
a cross section of North Rift leaders commended the selection saying it
will enable the Jubilee government fulfil its pre-election pledges.
“Those
appointed deserve the positions since they are experienced and
qualified individuals,” said Mr Paul Tanui arap Tumbo of Barsombe, Uasin
Gishu.
He warned against politicizing of the
appointments noting that it was the prerogative of the President to name
whoever to serve in his government.
Others in support
were a cross-section of Elgeyo-Marakwet leaders and NGOs in the region
who welcomed the appointment of Ms Linah Jebii Kilimo to head the
Anti-Female Genital Mutilation board.
Meru Senator
Kiraitu Murungi praised the appointments and in particular that of Mr
Muthaura as he dismissed criticism by a section of leaders in the
region.
On Sunday, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure
Kindiki had asked the President to reconsider the selection from the
region saying it was in favour of a small area in the larger Meru.
This
comes as politicians led by Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi are
expected to hold a rally at Kinoru Stadium today to make known their
displeasure on the appointments allegedly favouring a small area in
Meru.
But Mr Murungi argued that the leaders were “not entirely correct’’ on their claims of unequal distribution of posts.
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