March 27, 2015
Officials defy orders, vow to stay put
Public and State officers suspected of corruption and who were directed by President Kenyatta to step aside remained in office on Friday.
None of the 175 officials, including Cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and governors quit, despite the President's order that they do so with immediate effect.
On Friday, many of those suspected to be on the list protested their innocence, saying they cannot resign on the basis of mere allegations.
A number of governors and MPs said the President had no mandate to ask them to leave their offices.
'‘Some of them are facing serious criminal charges in a global court. Why are they not stepping aside? If I see his deputy stepping aside, I will do so the next day," Meru Governor Peter Munya said in apparent reference to Deputy President William Ruto.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei turned up in office as usual before proceeding for an official function at KICC, where he launched the National Coconut Festival.
He insisted he knew nothing about the graft claims about him, adding that he will only step aside if he gets official communication on the matter.
Deputy President William Ruto came out in support of the President's order insisting that all those mentioned must quit.
"We have made our position very clear. Every leader appointed, elected or nominated must be accountable. All those involved in corruption irrespective of their positions must walk the narrow way," Mr Ruto said in Mombasa.
Cord leaders blamed the defiance on Mr Kenyatta himself saying he had powers to act but he chose to abdicate duty.
"That the president condones this illegality and connivance is an indication that he is keen to politicise corruption and ready to abdicate authority to fight corruption," said Busia County Woman Representative Florence Mutua, who read the statement on behalf of Cord MPs.
Source: Officials defy orders, vow to stay put - Politics - nation.co.ke
Officials defy orders, vow to stay put
Public and State officers suspected of corruption and who were directed by President Kenyatta to step aside remained in office on Friday.
None of the 175 officials, including Cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and governors quit, despite the President's order that they do so with immediate effect.
On Friday, many of those suspected to be on the list protested their innocence, saying they cannot resign on the basis of mere allegations.
A number of governors and MPs said the President had no mandate to ask them to leave their offices.
'‘Some of them are facing serious criminal charges in a global court. Why are they not stepping aside? If I see his deputy stepping aside, I will do so the next day," Meru Governor Peter Munya said in apparent reference to Deputy President William Ruto.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei turned up in office as usual before proceeding for an official function at KICC, where he launched the National Coconut Festival.
He insisted he knew nothing about the graft claims about him, adding that he will only step aside if he gets official communication on the matter.
Deputy President William Ruto came out in support of the President's order insisting that all those mentioned must quit.
"We have made our position very clear. Every leader appointed, elected or nominated must be accountable. All those involved in corruption irrespective of their positions must walk the narrow way," Mr Ruto said in Mombasa.
Cord leaders blamed the defiance on Mr Kenyatta himself saying he had powers to act but he chose to abdicate duty.
"That the president condones this illegality and connivance is an indication that he is keen to politicise corruption and ready to abdicate authority to fight corruption," said Busia County Woman Representative Florence Mutua, who read the statement on behalf of Cord MPs.
Source: Officials defy orders, vow to stay put - Politics - nation.co.ke
