Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday denied nepotism was the reason for the appointment of his younger sister Dr Wenwa Akinyi as Kenya’s Consul General in Los Angeles, USA. Raila also denied suggestions by some MPs that he was reciprocating a favour when he ensured that Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula was reinstated to the Cabinet after he had stepped aside to allow for investigations into the Japan embassy scandal.
Raila described the suggestions as "unfortunate" and said diplomatic appointments were the prerogative of the President who did not consult him when he appointed Wenwa in 2009. “I know nepotism but this is not one of those instances,” said Raila. He said anyone with any queries about his sister's appointment should direct them to the President.
Raila said the country had over 140 ambassadors and consuls serving in different parts of the world and there is nothing wrong if one was related to him. “I do not see what is wrong if one of them is Dr Wenwa,” said Raila. He said Wenwa dropped the Odinga name after she got married. He said she was highly qualified as she had a PhD and had worked as a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi prior to her diplomatic appointment. “I did not know that if you are a Prime Minister, none of your relatives should serve in the public service,“ said Raila.
He also denied being related to ambassadors Elkana Odembo in the US, David Arunga in Egypt and Josephine Awuor who is Kenya's high commissioner in Harare, Zimbabwe. Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale had cited the names of the four diplomats and demanded the PM to clarify his relationship with them. Khalwale wanted to know whether Odembo was Raila’s brother-in-law; Arunga was his cousin and former personal assistant and Awuor was a relative to his wife Ida Odinga.
Khalwale wanted to know if Raila was returning a favour to Wetangula and had him reinstated for giving the jobs to the four individuals. Yesterday, Raila defended Wetangula’s reinstatement saying there was no evidence linking Wetangula to the Japan embassy scandal. “Honourable Wetangula has neither been recommended for prosecution nor charged with any crimes before a court of law,” Raila added.
He said that Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in its interim report to the Attorney-General had observed that at the end of the domestic investigations their findings were inconclusive and that the role of the Wetangula in the transaction was yet to be ascertained as there was no correspondence directed to or emanating from him.
The PM blamed the defunct Kenya Anti Corruption Commission for delaying the conclusion of its investigations. He said KACC started investigations 19 months ago and Wetangula was out of office for ten months before he was reinstated. Citing Article 47 of the Constitution which accords every person the right to administrative action that is expeditious, efficient, lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair, Raila accused KACC of extending its investigations unnecessarily. "Investigations cannot go on ad infinitum,” said Raila.
Raila said government regulations require that internal investigations are completed within one month while investigations by external agencies are completed within two months. He said the domestic investigations on the matter have been concluded while the anti corruption commission has applied to the government of Japan for mutual legal assistance to complete the external investigations.
However, Khalwale accused the PM of applying double standards and asked why the same was not applied in the case involving Eldoret North MP William Ruto who was suspended after he was charged with fraud involving the sale of a portion of the Ngong Forest. The case has since been concluded and Ruto was cleared. However, he was sacked as Higher Education minister.
Khalwale also cited why Kilome MP Harun Mwau who stepped aside as Trade assistant minister after being linked to drug trade, has not been reinstated and yet police investigations had also cleared him of any involvement in the trade. Raila said Ruto had asked the government to relieve him all ministerial duties as he wanted to concentrate on party matters. As for Mwau, Raila said he is yet to be cleared of the allegations.
Raila said the government will not hesitate to take action against Wetangula if investigations on the foreign aspect of the purchase establish he was culpable. Dujis MP Aden Duale said it was morally wrong to reinstate Wetangula before all aspects of investigations are concluded.
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