KENYA: NEW CABINET AGREED BY ALL PARTIES

President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga finally agreed on the size of the Cabinet – a bloated 40 – with PNU running away with key ministries. It would seem the party may have finally won the weeks of brinkmanship and mind games between it and rivals ODM. The standoff, which threatened to push the country to the brink again, was over a desire by the rivals to equally share lucrative and high profile ministries. Even though the issue of portfolio balance remained a guarded secret between the two principals, it is reported that that PNU will retain Finance, Internal Security, Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Information and Communications. On its part, ODM will take Local Government, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Energy and Roads. Also understood to be in its bag is Agriculture and Immigration and Registration of Persons.