- Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has downplayed claims by critics that the grand coalition government is cracking as evidenced by disunity between the President and the Prime Minister.
Mr Kibaki called on Kenyans to avoid listening to those bent on "spreading malice" because "the grand coalition government is united."
“We agreed with Raila to form one government, and we are working together in one government. Those saying we have two governments are spreading fitina (malice),” he said.
Addressing thousands of workers at the 2008 Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park in the capital Nairobi on Thursday, President Kibaki urged Kenyans to throw away their differences, reconcile and work together to develop their country.
While urging workers to promote messages of peace and reconciliation, the President also ordered employers to reinstate any staff sacked as a result of the post-electoral violence.
He said the problems of the post-electoral violence were caused by Kenyans and not by outsiders, and as such, "it is important for us to accept it and start living and working together as friends."
The Kenyan leader expressed delight over the feedbacks he had received during a recent tour conducted by top government officials, including Mr Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka to the Rift Valley.
Mr Kibaki said apart from being free to live and work anywhere in the country, there is need to help those whose houses were torched to resettle.
The civil society and religious groups have raised concerns over the negative implications of Kenya's 42-member cabinet. But Mr Kibaki said he would have loved to have a leaner cabinet, but he been forced by circumstances beyond his control. He was however confident that the new cabinet will deliver services to the public and champion the unity agenda.
He announced his government's plans to enforce more labour laws to better the conditions of workers. He said despite hues and cries and legal action by the Federation of Kenya Employers and the Law Society of Kenya.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who has been out of the country, was absent at the celebrations.
In a separate development, President Kibaki has fired two High Court judges, Tom Mbaluto and Joseph Vitalis Odero Juma after an investigative tribunal report found that they were "engaged in unethical behaviour."
A suspended judge, Justice Amraphael Mbogholi Msagha, has been reinstated.
Justice Mbaluto was found to have been engaged “in unethical practices and absence of integrity” while performing his office duties, contrary to section 63 (3) of the constitution.
Justice Juma could not escape nine of the 12 allegations levelled against him. He too was "was engaged in unethical practices and absence of integrity in the performance of the functions of judge of the High Court of Kenya."
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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