Waigurus health not main reason for her resignation ODM Chair

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chair John Mbadi has said that 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).

“Waiguru’s resignation was long overdue. She should have vacated office when it first emerged that there were allegations of corruption at the NYS, in accordance with Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity” said Mbadi.

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

“I do not think the main reason for Waiguru’s resignation is because of health concerns. While that might be true, I think she decided to resign because of pressure that she is facing over allegations of corruption at her ministry,” said Mbadi.

He asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch further investigations into the Devolution Ministry to unearth any hidden fraudulent dealings.

“Now that Waiguru has resigned, EACC should launch further investigations into the dealings at the ministry because there could be other scandals that have not been unearthed.”

He pointed out that the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko to order the prosecution of Devolution Permanent Secretary Peter Mangiti and NYS Director General Nelson Githinji was aimed at sanctifying Waiguru of allegations of graft at the ministry.

He pointed out that if it was true that Waiguru needed time off due to heath concerns, she should have taken leave and not resign.

Mbadi hit out at President Uhuru Kenyatta for insincerity in the fight against corruption saying he does not have any intentions in ending graft in his government.

He noted that President Kenyatta’s push for the investigation of individuals in the infamous EACC ‘list of shame’ was a mere PR gimmick aimed at saving face adding that his pronouncement on Thursday, calling for the arrest and prosecution of corrupt individuals, is insincere and aimed at reducing public pressure.

He accused Jubilee of condoning corruption adding that several graft cases touching on government officials, including the Karen and Lang’ata land sagas and Euro bond allegations, have not been pursued.

Mbadi absolved Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo of allegations that she has been leaking government information to CORD noting that the opposition has not received any information from her.

He criticised the government for allegedly harassing Odhiambo saying they should instead focus on putting their house in order.

On the matter of ICC, Mbadi said it was inexcusable for the government to use public money to foot the bill of MPs going to The Hague saying it would have been better to employ tact and enlist services of experts in the case against Deputy President William Ruto rather than use threats.

“It was embarrassing for the government to carry busy-bodies and idlers to ICC to do nothing. It was wrong to think the Assembly of States Parties would be intimidated into adopting Kenya’s request,” he said.

He said Jubilee was “overexcited” after taking office in 2013 and forgot to focus on the task ahead adding that it is time they put their house in order.

Waiguru resigned from her position as Devolution CS on Saturday over what she termed as personal attacks on her values and her children.

In her address, Waiguru said she had been advised by her doctors to take up lighter roles saying recent developments over allegations of corruption at her ministry have been detrimental to her health.