Why Raila allies read mischief in graft war

Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission PLO Lumumba gestures during a talk at the Strathmore college. PHOTO / FILE  

By Emeka-Mayaka Gekara gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Saturday, January 8 2011 at 21:00

In Summary

• MPs accuse KACC of turning a blind eye on grand corruption cases such as Goldenberg, Triton and Anglo Leasing to spoil ODM stakes in the Rift Valley

Some MPs in ODM want the war on corruption extended to past scandals lest it be seen as targeting politicians from a particular region or community.

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The MPs allied to Prime Minister Raila Odinga are reading mischief in the prosecution of ODM chairman Henry Kosgey over abuse of office amid indications that the former Industrialisation minister’s troubles may further poison the relationship between the PM and the Kalenjin community.

Stepped aside

Mr Kosgey stepped aside from his ministerial responsibilities until allegations of abuse of office against him are resolved. This was a double tragedy for the veteran politician whose fate is in the hands of the International Criminal Court judges in relation to grave accusations over his alleged role in the post-election violence. An indictment at the ICC alone is likely to dim his political career.

“It is ... aimed to arm-twist them (Kalenjin) to vote for a certain PNU candidate,” says nominated MP Musa Sirma.

However, the MP, a political ally of Mr Odinga, could neither provide any proof to justify his claims nor name the candidate and only said: “Your guess is as good as mine”.

“Why is the commission concerned about the importation of small cars instead of grand corruption cases such as Goldenberg, Triton and Anglo Leasing?” he asked.

The prosecution of Mr Kosgey has also exposed cracks in ODM with the side allied to Eldoret North MP William Ruto appearing to keep a “safe distance” over the Kosgey matter.

Whereas the ODM wing revolving around Mr Odinga “expressed solidarity” with their chairman, the Ruto group has been more or less unenthusiastic in rushing to his defence.

Possible prosecution

Some Kalenjin politicians have blamed Mr Odinga for Mr Ruto’s possible prosecution in connection with the post-election violence and the sacking of assistant ministers Charles Keter and Jackson Kiptanui.

But a group of PNU politicians including Mr Kosgey’s assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi, Jamleck Kamau, David Ngugi and Johnstone Muthama have defended the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission for taking Mr Kosgey to court.

“Now that the PLO Lumumba commission is going after big fish, politicians should keep off,” said Mr Kamau.

Typical of the Kenyan fashion of politics in which leaders evoke their communities to shield themselves, some ODM leaders predictably accused the Lumumba commission of targeting the Orange party and the Kalenjin.

“We as Kalenjins feel like we are being singled out in this war. Why was Mr Kosgey singled out and rushed to court when it was public knowledge that there are several other people who have been mentioned in corruption cases and continue to enjoy the comfort of their offices?” asked Eldoret South MP Peris Simam.

Justice assistant minister William Cheptumo read 2012 politics in the Kosgey matter but spoke of “biased reaction” to the war on graft.

Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang and chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo also came to Mr Kosgey’s defence but acknowledged that though the Prime Minister had nothing to do with it, the issue might be used to hype the animosity between him and the Kalenjin bloc.

Mr Kajwang claimed that the Kalenjin had failed to see through a plot aimed at isolating them from the rest of the country.

Mr Midiwo seemed to argue that the commission could be misused to serve a political agenda.

He cited a case in which the agency sent its investigations report to public service head Francis Muthaura instead of the AG before it was leaked to the media, to support his allegation that the commission could be used subjectively.

The MP said that the commission should focus on the Triton, Anglo Leasing and the Tokyo embassy scandals which had cost the country billions of shillings.