Even as a new dawn brightens up the country’s political horizon, following a power-sharing pact between President Kibaki and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Mr Raila Odinga, trouble is brewing over the office of Vice-Presidency.

Anxiety is mounting over a host of challenges posed by the Kibaki-Raila deal regarding the mandate and authority of office and the ‘rightful cut’ due to ODM-Kenya, whose leader Mr Kalonzo Musyoka is V-P.

But it is the silent revolt from MPs in his own Ukambani backyard that complicates Kalonzo’s political woes. There are a few MPs who have come out in the open alleging that the V-P has sidelined them by making decisions, which include joining the Cabinet without consultation. But the deal signed by Raila and Kibaki in the wake of post-election violence, details a raft of proposals, including the immediate creation of the posts of Prime Minister and two deputies. How the country’s 10th

Vice-President fits into this new political dispensation is a challenge to Raila and Kibaki, especially the latter, who invited the Mwingi North MP to Government in January.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka with Sudanese Ambassador to Kenya Mr Majok Guandong. Majok called on the VP on Wednesday at Jogoo House.    Picture by VPPS

Kalonzo’s ODM-Kenya has, however, entered into a coalition partnership with Kibaki’s PNU. This means that ODM-Kenya’s share of ministerial positions is catered for by PNU under the agreed 50-50 arrangement with ODM.

The Mwingi North MP quickly secured Kibaki’s presidency following the announcement of last year’s highly disputed and discredited presidential poll results.

Having acted as a pillar by turning over ODM-Kenya’s parliamentary strength in Kibaki’s favour, it will be interesting to see how the President manages the delicate balance between his links with Kalonzo and the new-found ODM partner.

Unlike the Annan engineered deal, which is to be entrenched in the Constitution, the PNU/ODM-Kenya memorandum of understanding is a gentleman’s agreement — a fact that has heightened speculation.

While Annan clearly indicated that the Grand Coalition Government would entail "the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and two deputies and the Cabinet", the signed pact is silent on whether the VP’s position will be subjected to "horse-trading" in an exercise by PNU and ODM to strike a "balance in power and ministerial portfolios".

Indeed the speculations have generated reaction from a section of ODM-Kenya MPs.

Speaking yesterday, Kangundo MP Mr Johnson Muthama explained, "MPs allied to the party and Kalonzo are ready to serve in any capacity, in Government or even in the opposition".

The Saturday Standard, however, established that Muthama’s sentiments were triggered by threats by some ODM-Kenya MPs to break ranks with their leader, Kalonzo.

Some of the ODM-Kenya MPs reportedly snubbed the press conference called by Muthama, who is the party’s parliamentary whip.

The occupant of the VP office, who under the new arrangement will not be the President’s principal deputy, is further expected to cede substantial power to the premier, including serving in the crucial capacity of Leader of Government Business.

Political analyst Mr Mutahi Ngunyi says the arrangement takes off virtually all the meat that goes with the Vice-Presidency.

"The deal further implies that if the holder of the office has a ministerial docket then he or she will equally work under the supervision of the Prime Minister," he observes.

But this in itself is not an impediment considering the strong mood of national healing.

As Leader of Government Business in Parliament, the ODM-Kenya leader, who has publicly declared support for the current arrangement, is facilitating the process.

The relevant National Accord and Reconciliation Bill 2008 is expected in Parliament next Tuesday.

"The agreement (we signed) must be translated into a binding Act of Parliament and entrenched in the Constitution. This will pave way for the sharing of responsibility of governance. I urge you to bear in mind that the agreement is in the best interest of country," said the President, in his speech on the opening of the 10th Parliament on Thursday.

As if speaking from the same script, Raila has expressed confidence that the Grand Coalition Government will work for the national interest.

"There is genuine reason to make the pact work. In the past, a clique made it impossible but things have changed. Now, there is need for me to work directly with Kibaki since it is embedded in the pact. I think there is sufficient goodwill," he told The Saturday Standard on Thursday.

Despite the national goodwill, the new political arrangement has raised a few constitutional concerns, key among them the absence of Leader of Official Opposition and party in the 10th Parliament.

While hailing the Kibaki-Raila pact, ODM and ODM-Kenya allied MPs Mr Ababu Namwamba and Mr Mutula Kilonzo, regret that the arrangement will compromise crucial democratic practices.

The two lawyers-turned-politicians are separately at loss as to who will chair the Parliamentary Accounts Committee and the Public Investments Committee.

As per the tradition of the British Parliamentary, which Kenya has heavily borrowed from, the Opposition leads the two crucial watchdog committees.

To ease the confusion, two leading lawyers have appealed Kalonzo to step out of Government and serve as the Leader of the Official Opposition.

The Law Society of Kenya Chairman, Mr Okong’o Omogeni, and East Africa Law Society President, Mr Tom Ojienda, argue that the move would be in the interest of Kenyans and Kalonzo’s own political career.

In a telephone interview with The Saturday Standard, Ojienda urged Kalonzo to team up with other small parties to form a structured opposition to act as a check against PNU and ODM excesses in Government.

Omogeni said the position of the Leader of Opposition is provided for in the Constitution, adding that Kalonzo should not let Kenyans down.

"The position is in the Constitution with its own remuneration, an official car, security, a personal assistant and a functional office besides a seat reserved for him in Parliament," he said.

Incidentally, some political leaders from Kalonzo’s Ukambani backyard share this position. Former assistant minister and Masinga MP Mr Ronald Kiluta opines that this is the best option if Kalonzo hopes to make a serious stab at the presidency again.

But these are not Kalonzo’s only challenges. Ministers Martha Karua, through Narc-Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, through Kanu, and Prof George Saitoti are positioning themselves for the Kibaki succession. It is unlikely Kalonzo, a political outsider, stand any chance in that race.

With a ‘betrayal tag’ hanging over him, his perennial Ukambani rival Charity Ngilu gearing up for a national role in ODM/PNU Government, and Kilome MP Harun Mwau getting ready for national networking, Kalonzo could find himself a lonely VP – if he hangs on there.

Ngilu and Mwau won tickets in Ukambani even after Kalonzo and ODM-Kenya campaigned bitterly and personally against them.

"The VP should understand that the new power deal may leave him and his party in a precarious position," Kiluta told The Saturday Standard.

But Muthama maintains that Kalonzo be retained as VP since the party has MoU with PNU.

"The pact between PNU and ODM is not in our favour except for one man — whom we wish every success as VP — otherwise the rest of us should cross over and keep this government in check," says Yatta MP, Mr Charles Kilonzo.