Friday, January 7, 2011

President, PM in talks as panic grips Cabinet

By PETER OPIYO and BEAUTTAH OMANGA
President Kibaki and Prime minister Raila Odinga met Thursday and the thrust of the discussions was the renewed anti-corruption drive, the toll it may have on Cabinet, and appointment of acting ministers.
Sources told The Standard that the replacement of the Chief Justice next month, was among key issues the two principals itemised on their agenda. The two leaders were also expected to agree on who should replace Attorney General Amos Wako in August and also name a Director of Public Prosecutions.
They met against the backdrop of the exit of Mr Henry Kosgey from Cabinet this week pending hearing of 12 abuse of office charges lined up against him, and the announcement by the anti-graft agency that it is hot on the heels of three more ministers whose ministries have been on KACC’s radar.
President Kibaki (left) and PM Raila Odinga met as heat of corruption battle is felt in Cabinet. [File Picture/ Standard]

Sources said there was panic among ministers, wondering how far KACC Director Dr PLO Lumumba will go and indeed, whose ministry could be next on his list.
Lumumba told a local TV station on Wednesday evening that the three are Education Minister Prof Sam Ongeri, Dr Naomi Shaban (Gender, but previously in Special Programmes) and Mrs Charity Ngilu (Water).
The meeting at Harambee House is believed to have also discussed claims by MPs from Raila’s party that KACC was using its powers to destroy ODM. Kosgey’s decision to step aside hours before he was hauled before court saw him join Mr William Ruto, who was forced to step aside pending determination of a land fraud case, and Mr Moses Wetang’ula who left Foreign Affairs to pave the way for investigation into a Sh1.55 billion alleged diplomatic property purchase scandal.
Kosgey is ODM chairman and Ruto one of its vice chairman, but has, however, made it clear he is looking for a new political home.
CJ Evan Gicheru is expected to leave office on 27th of next month as required by the Constitution. Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo has already proposed the President could appoint one of the judges to the office in an acting capacity while Kenya awaits vetting of judges after which a substantive holder will be picked.
Following anti-KACC claims by ODM on Wednesday, yesterday saw MPs from President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity dismiss the allegations and urge KACC to continue with the purge against ministers suspected to be thriving on corruption.
"It is public knowledge allegations of corruption have been raised in the Water Ministry, whose Minister is Charity Ngilu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," said Lumumba on Wednesday. He also said graft claims were raised in the ministries of Education and Special Programmes, whose ministers were also under probe.
During the meeting, Raila is also reported to have briefed the President on his trip to Ivory Coast where he led the African Union mission trying to resolve the political crisis following disputed presidential elections.
Kibaki and Raila are understood to have debated the current pending appointments to positions created under the new Constitution. They met two days after Kosgey stepped aside to pave the way for investigation into alleged abuse of office claims.
Raila accepted Kosgey’s decision the same day he wrote to him and the President.
The Cabinet is also feeling the heat from the fact that apart from Ruto who is on suspension, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo listed Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as one of the six prominent personalities suspected to hold the highest responsibility for post-election violence in 2008.
Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti is acting in Wetang’ula’s docket at Foreign Affairs while East African Community minister Hellen Sambili is holding fort for Ruto.
Though details were not immediately forthcoming, the President and the PM are believed to have discussed Kosgey’s replacement on a temporary basis, as well as those who will step in for Ongeri, Shaban and Ngilu, should the AG rule there is sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution.
ICC DECISION
There is also the headache of filling Uhuru’s slot should the ICC rule in March he should be summoned to appear before it.
Mutula also scoffed at ODM MPs accusing them of belittling the work of KACC as Central Organisation Trades Union secretary general Mr Francis Atwoli criticised MPs for claiming the party was targeted.
"It is totally wrong and unacceptable for ODM MPs to claim efforts to fight graft are political. Workers are not amused by such statements," added Atwoli. He went on: "Workers support Lumumba in fighting corruption because that is where their taxes are lost or remain unaccounted for."
Mutula and MPs Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango) and Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani) cautioned their colleagues they could be cited for contempt of court.
The minister said a court of law was carrying its mandate on behalf of Kenyans and could even consider withdrawing Kosgey’s Sh2 million bond due to politicisation of the case. He advised the ODM chair and Raila to stop the debate outside the court.
"The MPs’ statements are not only embarrassing coming from law makers, but totally out of tune with the new Constitution. It is demeaning to hear MPs comment about a case that is already in court and yet they are the ones who voted for the new Constitution, which states what action should be taken in the fight against graft," argued Mutula.
The minister said MPs who feel Kosgey was being framed should present themselves before court and adduce evidence to that effect.
Talking to The Standard Mutula urged Lumumba to prosecute all Cabinet ministers he has complaints and evidence against without fear.
He said it was strange MPs were ganging up to discredit the work of KACC, a body they helped establish and which was carrying out the requirements of the Constitution.

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