Former Ethics and Governance PS Mr John Githongo and Prof Yash Pal Ghai who chaired the Bomas Constitutional Conference have launched a national campaign against impunity, injustice and corruption.
The campaign under the banner Kenya Ni Yetu (Kenya belongs to us) was symbolically launched at Freedom Corner in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park where some of the fiercest pro-reform rallies and meetings were held in the 1990s.
It will strive to mobilise Kenyans to speak up against cases of impunity, corruption and other forms of injustice in their counties.
To set the ball rolling, Githongo and Ghai demanded President Kibaki and Prime minister Raila Odinga edge out ministers and public officials named as post-election violence suspects by the International Criminal Court.
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| Human rights campaigners (seated from right) John Githongo, Gladwell Otieno and Yash Pal Ghai at Freedom Corner in Nairobi, Sunday. They called on Kenyans to join in and defend the Constitution. [Mbugua Kibera/Standard] |
Also in the campaign is the Executive Director of the International Commission of Jurists-Kenya George Kegoro, and Mr Davinder Lamba, a leading member of Kenya’s civil society movement.
Those they want shoved aside until cleared by ICC are: Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, as well as Maj-Gen (rtd) Hussein Ali who is serving as Post Master General.
They were named as principal suspects alongside Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, who have since left the Cabinet because of court cases locally.
The only other person in the Ocampo Six list is Mr Joshua arap Sang, the KASS FM head of operations and director of its morning radio talk-show.
"We similarly pledge to directly resist those who steal from us, those who actively work to ruin the future of our youth, we pledge to oppose those who stand before us as leaders but are in reality agents of confusion, division and destruction," said Githongo.
The civil society groups that have joined the campaign vowed they would marshal Kenyans to pressurise for early elections if the Government continues to condone impunity.
They vowed they would keep the Government on its toes over implementation of the new Constitution.
Githongo and Ghai termed as an embarrassment and entrenchment of impunity the retention of suspects in the Cabinet and top civil servants facing investigations related to graft and crimes against humanity.
The public officials who have stepped aside either because they are under investigation or have cases in court include former assistant ministers John Haroun Mwau and Dr Wilfred Machage, as well as Ruto, Kosgey and Mr Moses Wetang’ula who was the Foreign Affairs minister.
They implored Kenyans to jealously guard the Constitution from saboteurs who they said were keen to perpetuate impunity. They argued impunity was still deeply rooted in the country.
They also condemned the connivance of top leaders in drug dealing and manipulation of ethnic interests.
Still in office
"Kenyans must take responsibility and resist all attempts at undermining the new Constitution," Ghai said.
Githongo said: "It is embarrassing that people who are being investigated in relation to international crimes against humanity are still in office."
Githongo said he had confidence Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission under the leadership of Dr PLO Lumumba would succeed in prosecuting graft suspects despite the lack of political goodwill.
Ghai added: "The President owes Kenyans an explanation as to why the new supreme law’s Chapter Six is being flouted by having almost half of the ministers who are crooks in his Government."
Githongo said asking ministers and top civil servants implicated in corruption to merely step aside was unacceptable and unconstitutional. "To me Kenya is the only country in the world where economic saboteur suspects are begged to step aside pending investigations. Such people ought to leave public offices for good," argued Githongo.
Ghai said: "It is only here in Kenya where even when somebody is facing graft-related prosecution, they go before cameras and tell Kenyans that it’s a matter of time before they bounce back. They then proceed to ensure they are cleared and exert pressure to be reappointed to the same public office. It’s ridiculous."
The two declared that Kenyans must remain united for them to reap from the new Constitution. They also called on all Kenyans to take responsibility of facilitating the full realisation of the Constitution, which they gave themselves "by respecting it, insisting on their rights and holding those in power to account".
They called on the Government to give the implementation of the Constitution priority by developing the necessary laws, institutions and processes. The group also promised to fully support the Constitution Implementation Commission.
"We must be united to demand full implementation of the Constitution. We also call on the two principals to work together towards marshalling their followers behind the Constitution and desist from contradictory and confusing statements that cause the public to doubt their commitment to the reform," said Githongo who read a joint statement.
The groups enjoined in the campaign vowed they would defend the Constitution, fight corruption and promote reconciliation.
They group said it was aware of the existence of many vested interests in Government, Parliament and business people opposed to reform.
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