The country is not in a state of crisis, the Government has said. Despite the debate elicited by President Mwai Kibaki’s decision last Friday to nominate Court of Appeal Judge Alnasir Visram for the position of Chief Justice, Prof Githu Muigai (Attorney General), Kioko Kilukumi (Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr William Kirwa (Controller of Budget), Kenyans have been urged to remain calm since “the country is not at standstill,” Government Spokesperson Dr. Alfred Mutua has said.

Dr. Mutua has also reiterated his earlier communication to the public last Saturday that President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga had held extensive consultations prior to the announcement of the names on Friday evening.

The Government Spokesperson has also urged the media to exercise fairness and objectivity in their coverage of issues. Dr Mutua said that is a cardinal mandate that journalists and editors must strive to uphold. “Do not give us special favours, we expect the media to play its role as the fourth protocol fairly and objectively whether they agree with our position or not,” said Dr. Mutua during the Government Media Briefing at his office in Nairobi. “Impunity has to end,” he said. “This has to start with the manner in which the media covers Government related issues,” he added.

Dr. Mutua also refuted media claims that Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere had already received a report probing some Members of Parliament linked to drug trafficking in the country. “That report has not been received by the Police Commissioner, its findings will be made public once the he receives it,” Said Dr. Mutua.

Office of Public Communications
February 3, 2011
Nairobi