There are also those who made it to Parliament through by-elections, but may serve as MPs for only five months as the House awaits dissolution next month.
Among the biggest winners politically in 2012, is Industrialisation minister and Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey.
In January, Kosgey was cleared by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of crimes against humanity during the 2007/2008 post-election violence. “I have always maintained that I had nothing to do with the violence. I am happy I have been vindicated,” he said.
The Tinderet MP was cleared alongside former former Police Commissioner Mohamed Ali.
Criminal charges
On June 28 the High Court cleared the minister of criminal charges relating to a car imports scandal.
Justice Nicholas Ombija terminated the charges against Kosgey and ruled that the case was an error in law, and instigated by bad blood between him and the then Industrialisation PS Karanja Kibicho.
“I have also prohibited any magistrate in Kenya from hearing the abuse of office case against Kosgey as he could not have committed any offence because the legal notices said to have been breached were not adopted by the National Standards Council until April 2011,” Justice Ombija ruled.
Kosgey had stepped aside as minister on January 4, last year, following the charges. On August 10, President Kibaki re-appointed the Tinderet MP to Cabinet.
More appointments
Several backbench MPs also landed full Cabinet appointments during the year.
On March 26, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, allied to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, was appointed Justice minister and took over from Mutula Kilonzo who was moved to the Education Ministry. Sam Ongeri took the Foreign Affairs docket, while Moses Wetangula went to Trade Ministry.
Another Uhuru ally, Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau also joined the Cabinet as Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan, to replace Njeru Githae who was appointed Finance Minister.
The changes made by President Kibaki in consultation with Prime Minister Raila Odinga saw Najib Balala – who had fallen out of favour with the PM – sacked as Tourism Minister, and replaced with Orange Democratic Movement point man in Coast Province Danson Mwazo.
In September, Kajiado Central MP Katoo ole Metito who was Regional Development assistant minister was elevated to a full ministerial position and appointed Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security. Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba took up Sports docket.
The Internal Security docket fell vacant following the death of George Saitoti on June 10, in a plane crash in Ngong’ that also claimed his assistant Orwa Ojode. Paul Otuoma replaced Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi in the Local Government docket.
Mudavadi resigned his ministerial docket when he ditched ODM to join UDF. Alfred Khangati, who was Assistant Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, was transferred in the same capacity to the Provincial Administration and Internal Security Ministry.
Gwassi MP John Mbadi replaced him. West Mugirango MP James Gesami, who had been acquitted of misappropriation of Constituency Development Fund, was reinstated to the Public Health Ministry as an assistant minister.
On December 12, the Head of State appointed the Kajiado North MP Moses ole Sakuda Assistant Minister for Regional Development to replace Metito.
New MPs elected
On September 17, ODM retained the Ndhiwa seat through Neto Oyugi, replacing Ojode.
In Kajiado North, TNA candidate Sakuda beat his close rival Peter Mositet by more than 12,000 votes to replace the Saitoti. Ngahu Tiras Nyingi was elected Kangema MP. The seat was left vacant following the death of former Environment minister John Michuki.
On Christmas Eve, Inspector General of Police David Mwole Kimaiyo took oath of office, one of the major appointments in line with the ongoing police reforms.
Mr Kimaiyo assured Kenyans that the police force would be friendlier to combat crime through community policing.
“I make this pledge to Kenyans that the National Police Service shall ensure that you live and earn your livelihood in a peaceful and secure environment,” he said.
The resignation of former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza was one of the year’s shockers.
Ms Baraza quit the Judiciary saying she was not likely to get a fair hearing at the Supreme Court. She was accused of assaulting a security officer at the Village Market on December 31, last year.
“I have this 18th day of October 2012 tendered my resignation as the Deputy Chief Justice and Vice-President of the Supreme Court of Kenya to the Judicial Service Commission,” she said in a statement.
She said her worries stemmed from a recent TV interview by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga who endorsed findings of a tribunal against her. Dr Mutunga chairs the Supreme Court.
“The Chief Justice in a recent television interview endorsed the tribunal recommendations against me which are the subject of my appeal. This has compound my fears that I will not get a fair trial before a bench in which he will participate,” Baraza said. - The standard
