MPs Accuse Kibaki Over PS's Resignation

Kenya Times

08 February 2005 Page: 2

MEMBERS of Parliament from the political divide described the resignation of John Githongo as a sad day for Kenya. Speaking separately at Parliament Buildings, the MPs accused President Kibaki of shielding the Mt. Kenya Mafia who had forced Githongo to resign since they were “untouchable in the fight against corruption.” The MPs challenged President Kibaki to take a firm stand and sack ministers implicated in corruption as the PSs resignation was strong message that he (Kibaki) should take immediate action. Shadow Finance Minister Billow Kerrow termed the resignation as a big blow and challenged President Kibaki to get back to the drawing board if the war against graft was to be won. Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang (Narc) said the resignation puts Kibakis Government on a tight corner since it was an indication that the Government was abetting corruption. “The resignation of John Githongo implicates President Kibaki in corruption as the PS was advising the Head of State on the war against corruption. We have lost hope in the war against corruption and the resignation was long overdue,” said Kajwang. “Its a bag signal to the international community who thought the Government was serious in the fight against corruption,” he said. Kanus nominated MP Mutula Kilonzo said the resignation was a confirmation that the Government was steeped in corruption. “Resignation of Githongo confirms statements attributed to the British High Commissioner to Kenya Edward Clay that top Government key figures were fully involved in graft,” said Kilonzo. Subukia MP Koigi wa Wamwere (Narc) said the resignation of Githongo, whom he termed the crusader of the fight against corruption, indicated that the war was lost. “The President should come out openly and state which direction the country was taking in the fight against corruption as the resignation of Githongo leaves him a lonely man”, said Wamwere. Dr Abdullahi Ali (Wajir North, Kanu) said the resignation fully confirmed what Clay was saying that the Government was abetting corruption. Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro (Narc) termed the resignation a good message to President Kibaki that corruption was there in the country and he had lost the war. Paul Sang (Buret, Kanu) was even frank and stated that post of Githongo was not even needed in past as its roles was not even described. “If it was supposed to be there, the President should look for a person for the job with proper descriptions,” said Sang. Kalembe Ndile (Kibwezi, Narc) said Githongo was doing a professional work in the fight against corruption but the bottle necks forced him out. “Githongo was like a prefect in a school who could not report the indiscipline of a teacher who is his boss,” said Ndile. However, Office of the President Assistant Minister Soita Shitanda said the role of Githongo had never been known to Kenyans. Bomet MP Nick Salat (Kanu) said President Kibaki was quiet in the war against corruption as was failing to act on advice he was getting from Githongo. Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria, Kanu) said there was no difference as corruption was more serious than before and the resignation was inconsequential.