Kalonzo "baffled" by removal from peace talks

Cabinet minister Kalonzo Musyoka has said his removal from the Somali and Sudan peace talks will not deter him from participating in the process in his personal capacity.

The Environment and Natural Resources minister, however, said his removal from the process was as baffling as it was shocking.

Recounting the development to the East African Standard at his Maji House office, Musyoka said, Kenyans were the ones who would judge his performance.

He revealed that he recently received two letters from President Kibaki informing him that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had requested that he continue leading the negotiations for both Sudan and Somalia.

His commitment thereafter led to the signing of six protocols between the government of Sudan and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement in Naivasha, he explained.

But to his surprise, said the minister, he received the shocking news of his removal from the talks last weekend when he was meeting his constituents at Tseikuru in Mwingi.

"My secretary called me on Saturday (August 18) and told me she had received a letter from the Secretary to the Cabinet Mr Francis Muthaura, relieving me of those duties," said Musyoka.

He immediately travelled back to Nairobi and handed over to the new Minister for Regional Affairs Mr John Koech, because Muthaura's directed him to do so.

And yesterday, Musyoka said the peace talks should be above local political differences, "because it is an international issue".

He added: "We are privileged as a country to be given this role. I have played my humble contribution. It was also a privilege for me."

The minister said he had become deeply involved in the process to a level where" I would not hesitate to talk to SPLM/SPLA leader John Garang or the Sudanese government should there be a problem."

"I cannot disengage from this process. I will go as far as using my own resources to ensure that the process comes to a logical conclusion," he said.

By Biketi Kikechi