PLO now scoffs at media over sack debate

By Felix Olick

Patrick Lumumba refused to comment on his unceremonial exit as the director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).

Prof Lumumba, whose fate was sealed when President Kibaki assented to the Ethics and Ant-Corruption Commission Bill (EACC), accused the media of ignoring real issues and concentrating on sideshows over the decision to send him and his four deputies packing.

He declined to respond to questions from the media about his forced exit from Integrity Centre.

The figure that Lumumba cut when he gave an address during the Kenya National Consultative Forum on National Cohesion and Integration was a contrast to the bold and media friendly stature that he has employed in his numerous lectures he has given to Kenyans since assuming office.

 “They (media) want me to address other issues...my comment is that I have no comment,” retorted a furious Lumumba while avoiding the debate on the sudden turn of events at Integrity Centre.

He added: “Africa has become a continent where drama is given prominence rather than real issues. They have not come here to report on this cohesion forum but to look for a juicy story which they will not get”.

The former KACC director, who was speaking on Tuesday at Alliance High School, Nairobi, said he is a respecter of seasons and would not be intimidated or cajoled to speak to the Press.

He maintained that the country has taken a path of blame game and told participants that they are the people who can change their circumstances.

Lumumba said accountability will only come if Kenyans stop judging people by the size of their bankaccounts and ethnic support. He said that if Kenyans chose to elect people whose moral character and integrity is questionable, then they will blame themselves.

Reforms

The former KACC boss challenged participants to support only political parties founded on clear ideologies to enable them put leaders to task if they fail do deliver. “You must vote because you have a civic right to vote. But you must vote rightly. Political parties must be founded on clear ideological foundation”, he said.

Lumumba regretted that the country had to go to a bloody violence after the 2007 disputed elections to focus on reforms. He however, expressed optimism that with the police and judicial reforms the country was headed to the right direction.

The President signed into law the EACC Bill on Sunday. The law replaces KACC with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and demands that the KACC director and his deputies vacate office to allow for new appointments.