The advantage Kibaki will enjoy if he fires Nyachae and Mwakwere now

Kibaki's government's condemning of election violence over the weekend means absolutely nothing. We have seen this kind of lip service paid before.

In 1991 and 1992, there was plenty of evidence to suggest that the government then was financing the tribal clashes in the Rift Valley. But we saw some very strong statements from President Moi condemning the clashes with the usual fairy tales: the government is in control of the situation, et cetera, et cetera.

Unfortunately, the only thing that can convince Kenyans is action. For starters, the president should distance himself from Simeon Nyachae and his actions. A slap on the wrist is not enough. He then needs to sack the roads minister with immediate effect. And while at it, he also needs to fire his other cabinet Minister, Ali Makwere, who has given his government a very bad image.

During a live call-in show on KTN last week, a caller asked the minister about his alleged sighting at the notorious Koinange Street. Makwere then swiftly (but predictably) lost his cool on live TV and answered back, sarcastically, that he was looking for his (caller’s) mother to make love to. This is abusive...