Githongo Sets Off For Canada East African Standard 15 February 2007 Page: 14
Former anti-corruption czar Mr John Githongo has moved from exile in the UK to Canada, where he will work with an international organisation.
Githongo is also expected to complete a book based on his anti-corruption work in Kenya, where he worked as President’s Kibaki’s advisor on corruption. The former Ethics PS went into self-exile in 2005 after falling out of favour with senior people in the Government when he started investigating the multi-billion Anglo Leasing scandal, which pointed fingers at Cabinet ministers. Thereafter, he exposed senior people in the Cabinet allegedly involved in the scandal.
In Canada, he will work with the International Development Centre (IDRC) and Queen’s University as an IDRC fellow.
A press release posted on the website of a Canadian communications firm, CNW Telbec, said Githongo would "contribute to knowledge on democratic development in Africa".
The release quoted him saying: "I am particularly pleased to be renewing my relationship with IDRC and with Canada. I am confident that our collaboration will result in a significant addition to the body of knowledge on this issue as it pertains to Africa."
Last year, he released tape recordings, which appeared to show former Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mr Kiraitu Murungi asking him to go slow on the investigations.
Then, he released what came to be known as the Githongo Dossier, which gave details about the scam.
He said he had handed the report to the President, but no action was taken.
Last month, he posted another tape recording on his blog, which also appeared to show Cabinet ministers trying to block investigations.
Githongo is a Senior Associate Member of St Antony’s College, Oxford University, with which he will retain close links. At Queen’s University, the statement said, "he will collaborate on a major research initiative on Ethnicity and Democratic Governance."