CORD leader Raila Odinga speaks on Anne Waigurus resignation

CORD leader Raila Odinga speaks on Anne Waigurus resignation

CORD leader Raila Odinga has called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to desist from defending government officials implicated in corruption.

Speaking in Kisumu on Sunday, a day after Anne Waiguru resigned as Devolution Cabinet Secretary, the ODM leader called on the government to tighten the grip on the fight against corruption stating that resignations are not enough.

He termed Waiguru’s decision to resign as crucial in the fight against graft adding that it is up to President Kenyatta to know what lighter roles he will assign her; evidently making reference to Waiguru’s statement on Sunday that she had been advised by her doctor to take up lighter roles due to health concerns.

Raila said Waiguru had been shielded by the government from prosecution over corruption allegations in her ministry which led to the reported loss of Sh791 million through fraudulent transactions.

Anne Waiguru announced her resignation on Saturday to pave way for investigations into corruption allegations at the National Youth Service (NYS) and Ministry of Devolution.

Addressing the press, Waiguru expressed her regrets over mistakes made by officials at the NYS, Huduma Centres and her ministry which she said have led to attacks on her personal values and her children.

She said the events of the last few months concerning corruption allegations at the NYS have had a devastating impact on her health and she has been advised by her doctor to take on lighter duties.

Waiguru’s resignation comes barely a week after the National Youth Service (NYS) Director General Nelson Githinji stepped aside, after Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko ordered for his prosecution over allegations of fraud, alongside Devolution Permanent Secretary Peter Mangiti.

In a statement sent to media houses last Monday, Githinji said he had decided to step aside in order to allow him to focus on protecting his “long record of selfless public service”.

The resignation also came a day after Attorney General Githu Muigai presented a report of a taskforce that recommends institutional and legal changes to the battle against graft.

Speaking after receiving the report, President Kenyatta called on anti-graft bodies to arrest and prosecute those implicated in corruption and repossess their property.

Raila welcomed the pronouncement by President Kenyatta though stating that the war against draft can only succeed if the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is given independence in appointing commissioners.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chair John Mbadi also commented on the issue saying the resignation of Anne Waiguru as the Devolution Cabinet Secretary was long overdue.

In an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital, Mbadi said the Devolution Ministry is a public, not private office, stating that Waiguru should have resigned a long time ago due to allegations of corruption at the ministry and the National Youth Service (NYS).

Mbadi said, though it might be true that Waiguru is concerned by her health, it is not the main reason for her resignation.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, who has so far launched two bid to impeach Waiguru, welcomed her resignation saying his prayers have been answered.

Keter said Waiguru’s resignation was long overdue accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta of ‘shielding’ Waiguru over allegations of corruption at the NYS.

The Nandi Hills MP made a first attempt to impeach Waiguru last month, though the petition was denied by National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi for failing to meet the required threshold after several MPs withdrew their signatures.

Keter castigated the government over the withdrawal of the signature saying some MPs were intimidated while others were bribed into abandoning the impeachment plan.

Keter however said early November that he had collected more signatures and was ready to make second attempt to ensure the motion to impeachment Waiguru makes it to the floor of the House.

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CORD raila odinga odm ANNE WAIGURU John Mbadi

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