Collective responsibility in Government topped a raft of issues slotted for discussion, as the two-day bonding workshop for the Grand Coalition Government got under way.

Ministers and Permanent Secretaries were asked to prepare reports on various Government operations to present during the induction at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, Ruaraka, Nairobi.

Attorney-General Amos Wako took members of the Government through the first session. Home Affairs PS Ludeki Chweya assisted him.

Deputy Prime minister and Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi chaired the session that also included a presentation by Justice Aaron Ringera.

Ringera, who is the director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, took the team through the principles of ethics and integrity as embodied in the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Justice minister Ms Martha Karua also presented on coalition government and national cohesion.

Head of Civil Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura also presented on the operations of Government.

In his opening speech President Kibaki said that the Tenth Parliament has one of the highest proportions of new MPs in recent years.

He said, as a result, a substantial number of ministers and assistant ministers were first-time MPs and would benefit from the workshop.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who invited President Kibaki to speak, underscored the need for unity if the National Accord that gave birth to the Grand Coalition was to succeed.

"It is important to act as one Government. It is one Government," Raila said, during an interview after the participants broke for lunch.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, who closes the workshop today, said the bonding presented an important step to help members of the Government to focus on service delivery.

Other topics to be covered include governance accountability guidelines in the Public Service to be tackled by the Public Service minister Dalmas Otieno.

Planning minister Mr Wycliffe Oparanya is to tackle medium term plan for implementation of Vision 2030, assisted by his PS Edward Sambili.

Finance minister Amos Kimunya is to present on Government Financial Management and Budgeting assisted by his PS Joseph Kinyua.

Solicitor-General Wanjuki Muchemi will take the participants through the process of Government contracts and agreements while Comptroller and Auditor General Priscilla Komora is to tackle financial control and audit.

The chairman of the Public Service Commission Titus Gateere tackles the role of Public Service Commission in human resource management.

Government Spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua will address the participants on Government image and media relations.

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula will tackle the external relations and protocol.

Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti will deal with protective security in Government.

Reports by Joseph Murimi, Peter Opiyo And Abiya Ochola