Miguna turns down PM's Advisor job

By Phares Mutembei

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's key aide Miguna Miguna has snubbed a call up to take up his duties at the office again.

Miguna whose suspension as Advisor on Coalition Affairs had been lifted, turned down the reinstatement on grounds he described as principles, respect for deals, the law and the constitution.

While declining the offer to have his job back, Miguna said the statement that reinstated him did not adhere to the terms he had agreed upon with the PM.

"It was the PM who called me personally, and requested for a meeting," he said.

Miguna said the agreement was in writing and witnessed by a mutual friend.

He alleged the letter of reinstatement and the press statement were to contain a few terms, among them that all arrears, emoluments and accrued interests owed to him to be paid forthwith and that upon resumption of duty, he would be reporting directly to the PM.

"Unfortunately, the statement released by one Caroli Omondi, on behalf of the PM 24 hours after our agreement-did not, accurately, reflect and adhere to the terms of our agreement," said Miguna at his Nairobi residence.

He also criticized a letter he received from the Office of the PM signed by a "junior" officer on behalf of the PS, claiming that its content and tone was totally at variance with the agreement the PM and he had entered into in good faith.

But Omondi, speaking from Mwanza where he is on vacation said Miguna was asked to return to office and sign new contract because the previous one had expired but he did not show up.

" Government can only pay persons or services as per contract documents. The PM had offered him a soft landing but he did not comply with rules and regulations," Omondi said on the telephone.

On Saturday, Miguna said: "In view of the foregoing, and conscious of my responsibilities as a Kenyan who believes in honour, good faith, the rule of law and principles of good governance, I hereby announce by a letter and delivered to the PM already, I have declined to accept the decision to reinstate me, on terms and conditions contained in the letter by one Abdul Mwasera."