Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Leaders tell Kosgey to quit ODM leadership

By Mutinda Mwanzia
The stepping aside of Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey and his subsequent arraignment in court sparked a flurry of reactions, with some leaders calling on him to also quit the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party chairmanship.
And his former Assistant Minister Ndiritu Muriithi said the stepping aside of Kosgey has vindicated him (Muriithi) over their row on the appointment of the Kenya Bureau of Standards MD.
"I was called names and vilified for opposing the appointment despite the fact that I had valid reasons for doing so," said Mr Muriithi.
He added the appointment of Joseph Koskei to head Kebs was unprocedural, saying it was the genesis of his current woes.
"Kebs needs an MD whose appointment is based on merit and not loyalty, and who can make firm decisions without fear or favour," said Muriithi.
 
GIVEN EXEMPTIONS
Kosgey has been in a spot over the importation of vehicles that were more than eight years old, and which had been seized by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
The former minister is alleged to have given exemptions through Kebs for the importation of cars against the eight years age limit for used vehicle. Bishop Beneah Salala of the Anglican Church said Kosgey should also resign from the chairmanship of ODM.
He said ODM was the most popular part and the continued leadership of Kosgey would negatively affect the party.
"How does ODM continue to be headed by Kosgey when he has been mentioned in serious cases such as corruption and violence?" posed Salala, who spoke in Kisumu.
Yesterday, Muriithi said Kebs had an important role to play in ensuring that importation rules are not flouted to suit some interests, adding the insistence by the former minister that Koskei was the best choice for the Kebs position was suspect. "This led to the row that pitted me and PS Karanja Kibicho against Kosgey," said Muriithi, who spoke to The Standard in Nairobi.
FORWARDED TO HIM
Kibicho had blamed Kosgey of disregarding the list of three candidates forwarded to him from which to pick the MD, instead settling for Koskei, who was not among them. Muriithi said there was need to streamline operations at Kebs as the institution plays a key role in the economy.
In Mombasa, the Muslim community appealed to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Director, PLO Lumumba, to rid the Cabinet of corrupt officials.
The organising secretary of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa, said the new Constitution does not allow corrupt officials to occupy public positions. "This mandate must be seen by ensuring the suspects in corruption charges step aside and await the outcome of investigations elsewhere," he said.

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