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P 141140Z APR 08
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RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 5927
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RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2758
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 2004
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2778
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2700
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 NAIROBI 000989 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT:  KENYA'S GRAND COALITION CABINET UNVEILED 
 
REF:  NAIROBI 960 and others 
 
¶1. President Mwai Kibaki unveiled a 40 member grand 
coalition cabinet on April 13, 2008 in a televised speech 
to the nation.  The text of the speech, containing the list 
of Ministries, Ministers, and Assistant Ministers, follows. 
An analysis of the cabinet and challenges ahead will follow 
septel. 
 
¶2. Begin text. 
 
Fellow Kenyans, 
 
I know that you have all been anxious to see the conclusion 
of the consultations on the formation of the new Coalition 
Government. I am therefore pleased to announce that 
following extensive consultations within the coalition, and 
taking into consideration the current challenges facing the 
country as well as the need to ensure regional balance in 
the leadership of this country, I am today announcing the 
Cabinet of the Grand Coalition Government. 
 
Fellow Kenyans, 
 
The outcome of the General Elections brought to the fore 
unprecedented political challenges. The situation has 
required Statesmanship and sacrifices for the sake of 
national peace and unity. 
 
The enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation 
Act, 2008 and the agreement on the Cabinet underscores the 
commitment of our nation's leadership to put the collective 
interest of the country and our people above everything 
else. 
 
I want to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Raila Odinga, 
the Prime Minister Designate and all the political leaders 
throughout the country for upholding the spirit of 
dialogue, which enabled us to unlock the political 
deadlock. 
 
I also commend the religious leadership, trade unions, 
human and professional bodies in our country that have 
supported dialogue and reconciliation to ensure that a 
peaceful settlement is concluded within the shortest time 
possible. 
 
Furthermore, I thank the mediators led by His Excellency 
Kofi Annan as well as friendly countries which have 
supported and encouraged us to overcome the political 
challenges we have been experiencing. 
 
Above all, I want to thank you, my fellow Kenyans, for your 
tolerance and patience throughout this period. I want to 
assure you all that I will do everything possible to ensure 
that our country Kenya, is steered along the path of peace, 
unity and stability. 
 
Fellow Kenyans, 
 
The multiparty politics that this country has embraced over 
the last 17 years has posed serious challenges to our 
national cohesion. 
 
But the experience we have gained over the years, and this 
period in particular, has enabled us to overcome the 
difficulties, while we undertake necessary reforms to 
ensure that our country and people will be assured of 
living in a secure, cohesive and prosperous nation. 
 
The enactment of the National Accord and Reconciliation 
Act, and the announcement of the new Cabinet today, 
demonstrates the commitment of the political leadership to 
move ahead and pay more attention to addressing the 
challenges facing our country and people. 
 
Foremost, is the plight of our people - men, women and 
children - evicted from their homes and farms by the recent 
mindless violence and hooliganism. In that regard, my 
government has increased security presence in the affected 
areas in order to prevent a recurrence of the violence and 
mayhem. 
 
 
NAIROBI 00000989  002 OF 005 
 
 
We are also facilitating the displaced people to resettle 
back on their farms as we support them and the surrounding 
communities with farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers. 
The new Cabinet will prioritize resettlement of the 
displaced people so that they can resume normal lives and 
play their part in nation-building. 
 
I urge Cabinet members to spearhead the message of peace in 
all the affected areas. 
 
Another area, is the need to ensure equal opportunities for 
all our people. In this respect, when I took over the 
leadership of this country, I pledged to commit more 
resources for the development of the Arid and Semi-Arid 
areas of our country which have in the past suffered 
neglect due to inadequate resources provisions and poor 
infrastructure. 
 
In the Cabinet I am announcing today, I have therefore 
created a new Ministry for the development of Northern 
Kenya and other Arid Lands in order to focus on and address 
the unique challenges facing these areas. 
 
The expanded Cabinet also introduces new Ministries to give 
priority attention to areas that are critical to the 
transformation of our country into a newly industrialized 
nation status. These include the Ministries of 
Industrialization, Planning and Vision TWENTY-THIRTY, and 
Nairobi Metropolitan Development. 
 
Finally, I wish to reiterate and emphasize that all Kenyans 
enjoy equal rights under the law. In this respect, we 
cannot allow or tolerate discrimination of a Kenyan in 
whatever form. Every citizen must enjoy the right to work 
and to reap the benefits of his or her labour anywhere in 
the country without hindrance. 
 
And therefore, the attitude, especially among some leaders, 
that communities should be restricted to particular areas 
or that some Kenyans can be perceived to be foreigners in 
some parts of the country is backward and unacceptable. 
 
As we welcome foreign nationals to partner with us in 
developing our country, so must we welcome and embrace one 
another as brothers and sisters. Indeed, it is through such 
interaction that our country and communities can tap skills 
that will spur development. 
 
The key to addressing the challenge of poverty is hard work 
to generate wealth and expand employment opportunities. So, 
my challenge to the new Cabinet Members and the entire 
national leadership at all levels is: let us put politics 
aside and get to work. 
 
Let us build a new Kenya where justice is our shield and 
defender, and where peace, liberty and plenty will be found 
throughout our country. 
 
I now announce the new Cabinet as follows: 
 
¶1. Office of the President 
 
Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and 
Internal Security 
- Minister: Hon. Professor George Saitoti 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Simon Lesirma 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Joshua Orwa Ojode 
 
Ministry of State for Defence 
- Minister: Hon. Yusuf Haji 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. David Musila 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. General (Rtd) Joseph Nkaisserry 
 
¶2. Office of the Vice President 
Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs: 
- Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Lorna Laboso 
 
Ministry of State for Immigration and Registration of 
Persons 
- Minister: Hon. Gerald Otieno Kajwang' 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Francis Baya 
 
 
NAIROBI 00000989  003 OF 005 
 
 
Ministry of State for National Heritage & Culture: 
- Minister: Hon. William Ole Ntimama 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Joel Onyancha Omagwa 
 
¶3. Office of the Prime Minister: 
- Prime Minister: Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Alfred. Khang'ati 
 
Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and 
Vision Twenty Thirty: 
- Minister: Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Peter Kenneth 
 
Ministry of State for Public Service: 
- Minister: Hon. Dalmas Anyango Otieno 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Aden Ahmed Sugow 
 
¶4. Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Trade: 
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade: Hon. Uhuru 
Kenyatta 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. James Omingo Magara 
 
¶5. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of 
Local Government 
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government: 
Hon. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Robison Njeru Githae 
 
¶6. Ministry of East African Community 
- Minister: Hon. Amason Kingi Jeffah 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Peter Munya 
 
¶7. Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
- Minister: Hon. Moses Wetangula 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Richard Momoima Onyonka 
 
¶8. Ministry of Finance 
- Minister: Hon. Amos Kimunya 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Dr. Oburu Oginga 
 
¶9. Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and 
Constitutional Affairs 
- Minister: Hon. Martha Karua 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. William Cheptumo Kipkorir 
 
¶10. Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development 
- Minister: Hon. Mutula Kilonzo 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Elizabeth Ongoro Masha 
 
¶11. Ministry of Roads 
- Minister: Hon. Kipkalya Kones 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Wilfred Machage 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Lee Kinyanjui 
 
¶12. Ministry of Public Works 
- Minister: Hon. Chris Obure 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Dickson Wathika Mwangi 
 
¶13. Ministry of Transport 
- Minister: Hon. Chirau Ali Makwere 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. John Harun Mwau 
 
¶14. Ministry of Water and Irrigation 
- Minister: Hon. Charity Kaluki Ngilu 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri 
 
¶15. Ministry of Regional Development Authorities 
- Minister: Hon. Fredrick Omulo Gumo 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Judah Katoo Ole Metito 
 
¶16. Information & Communications 
- Minister: Hon. Samuel Poghisio 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. George Munyasa Khaniri 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana 
 
¶17. Ministry of Energy 
- Minister: Hon. Kiraitu Murungi 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Charles Keter 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Maalim Mohamud Mohamed 
 
¶18. Ministry of Lands 
- Minister: Hon. Aggrey James Orengo 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Silvester Wakoli Bifwoli 
 
NAIROBI 00000989  004 OF 005 
 
 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Samwel Gonzi Rai 
 
¶19. Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources 
- Minister: Hon. John Michuki 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Jackson Kiplagati Kiptanui 
 
¶20. Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife 
- Minister: Hon. Noah Wekesa 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Josphat Koli Nanok 
 
¶21. Ministry of Tourism 
- Minister: Hon. Mohamed Najib Balala 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Cecily Mtito Mbarire 
 
¶22. Ministry of Agriculture 
- Minister: Hon. William Samoei Ruto 
- Assistant Minister: Hon Japhet Kareke Mbiuki 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Gideon Musyoka Ndambuki 
 
¶23. Ministry of Livestock Development 
- Minister: Hon. Mohamed Abdi Kuti 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Bare Aden Duale 
 
¶24. Ministry of Fisheries Development 
- Minister: Hon. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Mohamed Abu Abuchiaba 
 
¶25. Ministry of Development of Northern Kenya and other 
Arid Lands 
- Minister: Hon. Ibrahim Elmi Mohamed 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Hussein Tarry Sasura 
 
¶26. Ministry of Cooperatives Development 
- Minister: Hon. Joseph Nyagah 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Linah Jebii Kilimo 
 
¶27. Ministry of Industrialization 
- Minister: Hon. Henry Kiprono Kosgey 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Ndiritu Murithi 
 
¶28. Ministry of Housing 
- Minister: Hon. Peter Soita Shitanda 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Bishop Margaret Wanjiru Kariuki 
 
¶29. Ministry of Special Programmes 
- Minister: Hon. Dr. Naomi Namsi Shabani 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Mohamed Muhamud Ali 
 
¶30. Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs 
- Minister: Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge 
- Assistant Minister Hon. Atanas Manyala Keya 
 
¶31. Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation 
- Minister: Hon. Hon. Beth Wambui Mugo 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Dr. James Ondicho Gesami 
 
¶32. Ministry of Medical Services 
- Minister: Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Danson Buya Mungatana 
 
¶33. Ministry of Labour 
- Minister: Hon. John Kiyonga Munyes 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Sospeter Ojamaa Ojamong' 
 
¶34. Ministry of Youth and Sports 
- Minister: Hon. Dr. Helen Jepkemoi Sambili 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Wavinya Ndeti 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Kabando wa Kabando 
 
¶35. Ministry of Education 
- Minister: Hon. Samson Kegeo Ongeri 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Prof. Patrick Ayiecho Olweny 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Andrew Calist Mwatela 
 
¶36. Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology 
- Minister: Hon. Dr. Sally Jepngetich Kosgey 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Kilemi Mweria 
- Assistant Minister: Hon. Asman Abongotum Kamama 
 
¶37. Office of the Attorney General 
Attorney General: Hon. Amos Wako 
 
 
NAIROBI 00000989  005 OF 005 
 
 
Thank you, God Bless you all and God Bless Kenya. 
End text. 
RANNEBERGER