allAfrica.com * Fresh Riots As Kibaki Names New Cabinet The Monitor (Kampala) NEWS 9 January 2008 Posted to the web 9 January 2008 By Rodney Muhumuza Kampala PROTESTS broke out in Kenya's western opposition stronghold of Kisumu and slums in the capital Nairobi after President Mwai Kibaki announced part of his new cabinet yesterday. Witnesses said one man was shot dead during riots in Kisumu, while residents of Nairobi's Mathare and Kibera slums said hundreds of opposition supporters had taken to the streets, some brandishing machetes, to denounce Kibaki's move. Mr Kibaki named Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, who came third in the disputed December 27 presidential elections, his deputy and minister for home affairs. Mr Musyoka, an opposition politician who led ODM-Kenya, a breakaway faction from the opposition ODM party, endorsed Mr Kibaki's re-election even as the main opposition leader and runner up in the disputed election, Mr Raila Odinga, claimed there had been foul play. "Those are the actions of a traitor...it is an alliance of losers," Mr Odinga said on Kampala's KFM's Hot Seat talk show last night. The announcement of President Kibaki's cabinet, made just before African Union leader John Kufour arrived in Kenya, only filled 17 posts. Mr Kibaki said in a statement that he would name the other ministers later. Mr Kibaki's appointments include; Prof. George Saitoti, as minister of state for provincial administration and internal security in the office of the President; Mr Yussuf Mohamed Haji, (minister of state for defence in the office the President), Dr Naomi Namsi Shaban as minister of state for special programmes in the office of the President; Mr Asman Abongotum Kamama, (minister for public service in the office of the President), Mr Amos Muhinga Kimunya (minister for finance), Prof. Sam Ongeri, (minister for education), Mr Moses Wetangula (the minister for foreign affairs), Mr Uhuru Kenyatta (minister for local government), Mr Samuel Lesuron Poghisio (minister for information and communications), Mr John Munyes (minister for water and irrigation) Mr Kiraitu Murungi, (minister for energy), Mr John Njoroge Michuki (the minister for roads and public works), Mr Noah Wekesa (minister for science and technology), Ms Martha Karua (minister for justice and constitutional affairs), Dr Wilfred Machage (minister for East African Community) and Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere as minister for transport. Mr Odinga said last night that he would fight back by demanding a forensic audit of the electoral process and a re-tallying of the results. That could be followed by a nullification of the results and a re-run of the presidential elections within a period of three months, he said. "I have not been denied the presidency, they are trying to rob me," the opposition leader said. "I beat him by close to one million votes, and everybody in this country knows it." Mr Odinga said Kenya would not be at ease until Mr Kibaki comes to the negotiating table as soon as possible. Asked if he was willing to give up the presidential struggle for the sake of Kenya, he said: "What is there to stop them from doing the same thing [rigging] five yeas from now?" The announcement of a new cabinet could derail Mr Kufuor's mediation efforts, seeing that Mr Odinga has said he does not respect the cabinet. Mr Odinga has said would not attend talks with Mr Kibaki on Friday, unless they are led by Mr Kufuor. More than 500 people have died in a wave of clashes across the country, after the opposition said the election had been rigged. "In that context, Mr Kibaki's move, in naming some members of his new cabinet, could be seen as a provocative act," the BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi reported yesterday. Mr Kibaki made the cabinet announcement in an address to the nation, which he recorded before going to the airport to welcome Mr Kufuor. "In naming the cabinet, I have considered the importance of keeping the country united, peaceful and prosperous and a strong broad-based leadership," Kibaki said. It is unclear when Mr Kibaki will fill the other cabinet posts, though there was speculation that they are being left open until the outcome of negotiations. At least key ministries have been filled, leaving 15 remaining posts. The 17 new ministers do not include a single face from Mr Odinga's ODM party. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2008 The Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------