Some MPs ‘ate’ lost NYS funds – Alfred Keter

Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Alfred Keter has claimed that several MPs were involved in the loss of Sh791 million at the National Youth Service (NYS).

In a press briefing held on Thursday, Keter asserted that some legislators who are defending embattled Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru benefitted from the money, calling for thorough investigations and prosecution of those found culpable.

Keter did not, however, name the MPs referred to in his claims, instead insisting that he will continue with the collection of signatures to push for the impeachment of Waiguru over the fraud claims at her ministry.

Despite his resilience, there have been claims that several MPs have been coerced into withdrawing their signatures and abandoning Keter’s bandwagon.

“I have gathered enough signatures to proceed with the impeachment motion against Waiguru. I am just waiting for some members who are out of the country,” said Keter.

The MP claimed that he has facts and files on evidence pointing at the lost funds at the ministry, stating that once the motion gets underway he will table everything he has against Waiguru.

Keter insisted that Waiguru should have resigned over the fraud claims that have put her ministry, and the National Youth Service (NYS) on the spot.

He said that Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale’s support for Waiguru should be ignored, adding that some URP legislators have been blackmailed by their TNA counterparts into supporting Waiguru.

Keter claimed that TNA MPs have threatened to withdraw their support for Deputy President William Ruto who is facing cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over atrocities committed during the 2007/08 post-election violence.

He said that ICC has no connection with the allegations against Waiguru, saying “only God can save Deputy President Ruto from ICC”.

Keter is not the only legislator who has attempted to impeach Waiguru.

Mid this year, Mithika Linturi collected signatures to impeach the CS over allegations of corruption at the NYS.

Linturi, however, pulled a no-show in the National Assembly during the tabling of the motion in Parliament prompting the House to discredit and annul it.

The NYS issue has proved to be a new frontier for CORD and Jubilee, with opposition leader Raila Odinga being on the offensive calling for the resignation of Waiguru.

In his recent address at Uhuru Park, Raila stated that Waiguru should not be treated special, stating that her case should be handled similar to those of five other cabinet secretaries who were forced to resign after they were named in the EACC list of corrupt government officials.

He stated that Waiguru’s name was deleted from the ‘list of shame’ while brushing off her threats to sue him for defamation over the graft allegations.

Raila said he has evidence implicating Waiguru in the graft claims, adding that he is ready to face her in court.