NCEC Lauds Kibaki For Taking Action On 2 PSs

Kenya Times

15 May 2004

The National Convention Executive Council (NCEC) yesterday lauded the move by President Mwai Kibaki to suspend two key Permanent Secretaries to pave way for the investigations in the controversial Sh 2.7 billion passport scam. NCEC Programme Officer Ndungu Wainaina said the organisation was fully in support of the exit of Joseph Magari (Finance) and his Home Affairs counterpart Sylvestor Mwaliko. “NCEC lauds the decision by the President to suspend the two PSs linked to corruption deals. The action is timely and appropriate as it will facilitate open and thorough investigations,” said Mr Wainaina. In a statement, the NCEC official said that all those whom have been associated with corrupt activities in the past regime and current government must be sacked and prosecuted without hesitations. He said: “The government must implement and comply with the Ethics and Integrity Act and Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes Act as a matter of urgency.” Wainaina further noted that the enormous "disease" of corruption is not going to be worn through peace meal suspensions and sackings but a radical surgery and reforms both in the cabinet, civil service and any government department. However, Wainaina said the organisation was horrified by the government action of suppressing the freedom of the Leader of the Official Opposition, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, to address a rally in Eldoret. “It is unacceptable for the government that claims to respect fundamental freedoms and human rights to start applying underhand tactics to coerce people to agree with its position,” he said. He said Kenyans requires a democratic, fair, transparent and legitimate constitution which should be de-linked from coercion. “Only principled dialogue and negotiations are going to give Kenyans an all acceptable constitution,” he said.