CORD to unveil shadow cabinet

The Star, Friday, September 20, 2013

Opposition Leader Raila Odinga is next week expected to name the Cord shadow cabinet as part of a strategy to revive a vibrant opposition in Parliament.

The Cord ‘Cabinet spokespersons’ will be tasked with following the operations of the ministries they will be assigned and will be mandated to issue public statements on a regular basis on the activities of the ministries they will be overseeing.
The Cord shadow cabinet comprising of 30 shadow ministers, will also organize and coordinate the opposition as the alternative government. The Uhuru administration has 18 ministries. The decision to name the shadow cabinet was reached early this week at a joint Parliamentary group meeting of CORD.
“This announcement will be made early next week by Raila and our coalition partners and the idea is to strengthen the way our coalition works in Parliament,” said one of those involved in formulating the strategy.
A team of 10 people led by Wiper’s David Musila, ODM’s Dalmas Otieno, Ford Kenya’s Eseli Simiyu and six others is working on the names and will present them to the coalition’s leadership this weekend for review and approval.

“We want to bring in people of value who can help keep the government in check and improve how the opposition operates in the National Assembly,” said the source. Wiper’s Francis Nyenze will remain the Minority Leader with suspended Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo as his Deputy.
Ford-Kenya will name the Cord Parliamentary Secretary who will among other things ensure the coalition holds at least two parliamentary group meetings. Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo is likely to be named shadow Minister for Devolution which is also one of the most powerful dockets in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
Matuga MP Hassan Mwanyoha is set to be named shadow Lands minister to keep an eye on Charity Ngilu who is the substantive Lands secretary while Ikolomani’s Benard Shinali will be responsible for the Housing docket.
John Mbandi of Gwassi is expected to be named shadow minister for National Treasury and Economy while Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba is to be named shadow Minister for Internal Security and coordination.
Ford Kenya’s Chris Wamalwa of Kiminini is also expected to be named shadow minister for Health while Suna East MP Nuh Junet is expected to be named shadow minister for Immigration. Dr Eseli Simiyu of Ford Kenya will be named shadow minister for Trade, while his Kanduyi counterpart Wafula Wamunyinyi will be named shadow minister Foreign Affairs and International relations.
John Munuve of Mwingi North has been proposed to check the government as shadow Labour ministry while Daniel Maanzo will be named shadow minister for Sports, Culture and the Arts. Maanzo served as an assistant ministry in the Sports and Youth ministry in the Kibaki administration.
Jomvu’s badi Twalib has been earmarked to as shadow Transport minister with Mvita’s Abdullswamad Nassir taking responsibility for Infrastructure. The first woman Cabinet minister in the country’s history Nyiva Mwenda will be in charge of Gender and Social Services while Hezron Bolo of Nyali will be in charge of Fisheries.
The powerful Agriculture docket will be taken by Manson Nyameya of South Mugirango while Defence will go to General (rtd) Joseph Nkaissery. Ijara’s MP Ahmed Ibrahim will be responsible for the Water docket while his Eldas colleague Aden Keynan will be responsible for Energy.
Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro has been proposed to take over the Tourism docket while Mpuru Aburi, the only ODM MP in Meru will be tasked with dealing with Enterprise development issues. Patrick Makau of Mavoko will handle issues Science and Technology while Turkana West MP Nixon Ngikor will be responsible for Petroleum.
Former minister Paul Otuoma is set to be appointed the shadow Education ministry with Nicholas Gumbo of Rarieda taking responsibility for matters to do with the East African Community. James Rege of Karachuonyo will be tasked to take charge of the Information and Communication docket while Dr James Nyikal of Seme will be responsible for Environment matters.
Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati will be named Mining shadow ministry, George Momanyi of Borabu will watch over the Natural Resources docket and Kibra’s Kenneth Odhiambo will be responsible for the Planning docket.