Grand Coalition: Five solid years of turbulence

President Kibaki chairs the Grand Coalition Cabinet. It had 42 ministers. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

By Jacob Ng’etich

KENYA: The Swearing-in of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto on Tuesday mark the end of the 2008 National Accord, which ushered in the Grand Coalition Government.

The regime came into force following a power-sharing agreement between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on February 28, 2008, under the National Accord and Reconciliation Act that ended the post-election violence.

The Government was hurriedly put up to stop the violence that rocked the country following the botched 2007 election.

Its formation was the culmination of the Serena talks bringing together representatives of PNU, ODM and the Committee of Eminent Persons under the umbrella of Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee.

The committee was chaired by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan with the help of former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and Graca Machel.

The others were Ruto, ministers Moses Wetangula, James Orengo, Mutula Kilonzo, Sally Kosgey, Sam Ongeri, Musalia Mudavadi and Martha Karua.

The committee came up with the position of PM through a power sharing that saw Raila named Prime Minister. The PM’s role was to supervise and coordinate functions of Government.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo  says the Grand Coalition achieved a lot in five years. The country had been agitating for a new Constitution for more than two decades, and the Coalition Government delivered it. It also saw creation of new positions that will seek to stabilise the country,” said Mutula.

Quit order

Recently, there was debate about dissolution of the coalition government following an order by President Kibaki that ministers elected into other positions resign.

This triggered a political battle with some ministers vowing not to leave office until the new President is sworn-in. According to the law, the Government would have been dissolved if one of the coalition members agreed to that in writing.

“Or one coalition member withdraws from the coalition by resolution of the member’s party’s decision-making body,” read part of Act.

However, the new Constitution, provided for the extension of the power sharing government to the end of its natural term.

The Grand Coalition had the biggest ever Cabinet that consisted the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, two deputy Premiers and 42 other appointed ministers.

During the five years, the two principals were duty bound to consult one another while making appointments to different portfolios.

Lawyer Moses Chelanga says the Government had its fair share of challenges, like the battles between the Office of the President and that of the PM over appointments.

“One of the major wars was the supremacy battles between the Vice-President and Prime Minister over who was junior, not to mention the appointment of constitutional office holders,” said Chelanga.

Another occasion was impasse on the Leader of Government Business in the Tenth Parliament, a situation that took several months to resolve.  

While addressing the nation on the third year of the Government, President Kibaki said he was happy to note despite a variety of challenges, the letter and spirit of the National Accord prevailed.

“I take this opportunity to thank all Kenyans for their enduring commitment to the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, which has enabled the coalition Government to succeed in managing the affairs of our country,” said Kibaki.

Reform agenda

The Serena team also identified four main reform agenda items. They included immediate action to stop violence, measures to address the humanitarian crisis, promote reconciliation and healing; immediate steps for overcoming the political crisis; and “Agenda 4: systematic measures to address long term issues, including constitutional, legal and institutional reforms; land reforms; tackling youth unemployment, tackling poverty, inequity and regional development imbalances, consolidating national unity and cohesion,” read the agreement.

As part of addressing Agenda Four there was creation of an Independent Review Commission on the 2007 General Election and the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence.

Senator Kipchumba Murkomen says a number of commissions, including Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission and that of National Cohesion and Integration Commission were created to promote national reconciliation and healing. The Accord also saw the adoption of the 2010 Constitution.