Wetangula carrying someone's cross, elders claim

By Robert Wanyonyi

The Luhya Council of Elders has called for speedy investigation into the saga surrounding Sirisia MP Moses Wetang’ula.

Council chairman Patrick Wangamati said it was wrong for MPs to harass Wetang’ula into resigning without giving him time to defend himself against allegations of fraud in the Tokyo Embassy scandal.

Mr Wangamati urged President Kibaki to consider Wetang’ula’s defence in Parliament as true admission that he was not involved in the scandal as Foreign Affairs Minister.

"We don’t accept the minister’s decision to step aside because he was a mere victim of circumstances. Someone wanted him to carry his cross," said Wangamati.

He warned that the elders would converge for a meeting to decide the political direction of the region if the matter is no resolved soon.

He urged Wetang’ula to forge ahead with his quest for the country’s presidency in 2012.

Students from Moi and Masinde Muliro universities expressed shock at Wetang’ula’s decision to step aside.