The Kenya Kwanza government Cabinet Secretaries seem to be reading different scripts on some national issues.
Trade CS Moses Kuria gave farmers an ultimatum to sell their maize to National Cereal Produce Board within 72 hours or the country imports maize.
On the contrary, Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi maintained that he is the one in charge and his own words he is the custodian of the amount of food needed to feed the country and he knows the deficit.
Coming after the High Court stopped the importation of GMO maize, awaiting the determination of a suit filed by the Kenyan Peasants league, a lobby representing small-scale farmers, Linturi added his voice to the debate.
Reading from the same script with Linturi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said that the order to import maize should have been given by Linturi and asked Kuria to leave Linturi to handle the maize issue.
The Ministry of Agriculture ought to be responsible for agricultural production in the country.
However, there should be clear-cut job descriptions for all CSs.
In human resource practice job descriptions helps employees understand their responsibilities and duties required of them.
Moreover, JD can be used to determine the performance of employees.
CSs serve under the President who is the appointing authority, therefore the President can determine who is performing or not.
Contradicting statements from senior officers serving the same government only serve to create speculation of rift or bad blood.
What might seem to be an issue of misplaced responsibilities can spiral over into a bitter fight in the government.
The President ought to move fast and quell any speculations that there are two camps in government those for maize importation and those against.
Additionally, to restore order and avoid any doubt Linturi should give the national statistics on the maize in Kenya reserves.
Linturi should publicly outline the lawful requirements needed to import maize to clear doubts about who is speaking the truth.
If Kuria’s idea to import maize was to bring the cost of food down, Linturi is on the right track by meeting with the Council of Governors to ensure food security.
The mechanism he is putting down to ensure food security is what Kenyans what to hear and see actualised.
To read from the same script, CSs should understand their given roles.
CSs are the mouthpiece of a functional government.
Though CSs appointments are political, their responsibilities are about policies for a government that needs to deliver, there should be no room for confrontation amongst CS or any senior officials.
CSs have the noble collective responsibility to serve the people.
Principal Bishop Hannington Institute
