Tuesday, February 14, 2006
CABINET RESIGNATIONS, WHAT NEXT?
Now that the four Ms are gone, (or stepped aside) Murungaru, Mwiraria, Murungi, and Muthengi what next? What of the other two M's Moody and Muthaura?
Let the president agonize about their replacements, as usual politics will take precedence over merit. Two Merus and a Masai are bound to join the cabinet in the endless dance of tribal balance and voter mollifying strategy. But that is not a major issue, what is at stake here are the underlying causes and consequence of the events leading to these resignations. The resignation of these fellows should open the way for accelerated investigations and arraignments of these suspects in court.
The case for Saitoti is clear. Sixteen years of investigations, denials and commissions should produce adequate materials for instantaneous prosecution. The endless charade of commissions on commissions should end. The people want to see these suspected economic saboteurs in court answering for their deeds or misdeeds. This should not be window dressing for the donors, it should be justice for the common man whose sweat was expended and whose heritage was squandered.
The stepping aside should not be a strategy to cool the tempers and ease the pressure from the people. Though it should be a sobering moment, it should not be construed that the Anglo Leasing saga is now solved. An arsonist does not go free just because the fire has been put out.
We should not have the investigations tied in bureaucratic red tape. It is true former PS Githongo has a duty to give a statement on the Anglo Leasing saga but it is not true that his statement can only be given in Nairobi. Given the magnitude of his claims against so called prominent personalities, his apprehension on his security is understandable. Regardless of the assurance by the government, Kenyans have not yet learnt to fully trust their government. Therefore if the mountain cannot come to Mohamed, Mohamed must go to the mountain. We should spare no resources in reaching to the bottom of this scandal and sealing all loopholes so that others with similar tendencies should be stopped in their tracks.
While investigations are going on the former ministers should be in protective custody as state guests in Kamiti. There is something called interfering with investigations. The owner of the collapsed building in Nairobi is a state guest at Kamiti because investigations are going on. The Anglo Leasing scandal players should be away from the public. Given their stature in society they are most likely to be intimidating any potential witnesses. Lock them up after all there is sufficient cause to suspect their complicity in the crime. We should not be going softly on some people just because they are friends with the seat of power. The president’s acceptance of their stepping aside, albeit belatedly and reluctantly, shows his willingness to distant himself from his cronies.
The resignation of Gitonga, Murungi and Murungaru has shattered the second power center that has been jostling for influence with the old guards; this clears the way for the Karume, Michuki, and Wanjui group to entrench themselves as the principle power brokers around the president. We do not moan the departure of the younger group. They had their chance to change the course of our nation but they succumbed to greed and corruption. They put self above nation, greed before thrift, arrogance before service and pride preceded their fall.
The people will not relent, the remaining two M's of Anglo Leasing remnants, Moody and Muthaura, must also step aside. If Kibaki is serious about making corruption something of the past, he must start by making sure his house is spotless. Right now, in the language of old Kanu, there are madoadoa (spots) of corruption and they will pollute the rest of the cargo. They should also step aside for the juggernaut of transparency to roll and flatten all the molehills of corruption before they become mountains.
The president’s action in the next few days will give a clear indication of his commitments. So far his language and actions do not show seriousness in the fight against corruption. This thing can not be fought through public appeals for calm and reason. The people have learnt the hard way, over a number of year, that whenever the government says the matter is under investigation, it literary means the matter is being removed from the public eye, hence being suppressed. The president should be decisive and be seen to act. The president should not sit and wait for his ministers to be pricked by their conscience and resign. Some have no conscience to prick them. Some respond by seeking to cross examine their accusers and trying to introduce extraneous issues in the debate. The president must act, after all he appointed the cabinet, if he can hire he can also fire. So what is the business of stepping aside, fire them and order a fast probe on their affairs. If not you will be sinking with them. Mr. President the time to act is now. 2007 is fast approaching. What legacy of your presidency will you bequeath your country?
Charles Wairia
USA
Let the president agonize about their replacements, as usual politics will take precedence over merit. Two Merus and a Masai are bound to join the cabinet in the endless dance of tribal balance and voter mollifying strategy. But that is not a major issue, what is at stake here are the underlying causes and consequence of the events leading to these resignations. The resignation of these fellows should open the way for accelerated investigations and arraignments of these suspects in court.
The case for Saitoti is clear. Sixteen years of investigations, denials and commissions should produce adequate materials for instantaneous prosecution. The endless charade of commissions on commissions should end. The people want to see these suspected economic saboteurs in court answering for their deeds or misdeeds. This should not be window dressing for the donors, it should be justice for the common man whose sweat was expended and whose heritage was squandered.
The stepping aside should not be a strategy to cool the tempers and ease the pressure from the people. Though it should be a sobering moment, it should not be construed that the Anglo Leasing saga is now solved. An arsonist does not go free just because the fire has been put out.
We should not have the investigations tied in bureaucratic red tape. It is true former PS Githongo has a duty to give a statement on the Anglo Leasing saga but it is not true that his statement can only be given in Nairobi. Given the magnitude of his claims against so called prominent personalities, his apprehension on his security is understandable. Regardless of the assurance by the government, Kenyans have not yet learnt to fully trust their government. Therefore if the mountain cannot come to Mohamed, Mohamed must go to the mountain. We should spare no resources in reaching to the bottom of this scandal and sealing all loopholes so that others with similar tendencies should be stopped in their tracks.
While investigations are going on the former ministers should be in protective custody as state guests in Kamiti. There is something called interfering with investigations. The owner of the collapsed building in Nairobi is a state guest at Kamiti because investigations are going on. The Anglo Leasing scandal players should be away from the public. Given their stature in society they are most likely to be intimidating any potential witnesses. Lock them up after all there is sufficient cause to suspect their complicity in the crime. We should not be going softly on some people just because they are friends with the seat of power. The president’s acceptance of their stepping aside, albeit belatedly and reluctantly, shows his willingness to distant himself from his cronies.
The resignation of Gitonga, Murungi and Murungaru has shattered the second power center that has been jostling for influence with the old guards; this clears the way for the Karume, Michuki, and Wanjui group to entrench themselves as the principle power brokers around the president. We do not moan the departure of the younger group. They had their chance to change the course of our nation but they succumbed to greed and corruption. They put self above nation, greed before thrift, arrogance before service and pride preceded their fall.
The people will not relent, the remaining two M's of Anglo Leasing remnants, Moody and Muthaura, must also step aside. If Kibaki is serious about making corruption something of the past, he must start by making sure his house is spotless. Right now, in the language of old Kanu, there are madoadoa (spots) of corruption and they will pollute the rest of the cargo. They should also step aside for the juggernaut of transparency to roll and flatten all the molehills of corruption before they become mountains.
The president’s action in the next few days will give a clear indication of his commitments. So far his language and actions do not show seriousness in the fight against corruption. This thing can not be fought through public appeals for calm and reason. The people have learnt the hard way, over a number of year, that whenever the government says the matter is under investigation, it literary means the matter is being removed from the public eye, hence being suppressed. The president should be decisive and be seen to act. The president should not sit and wait for his ministers to be pricked by their conscience and resign. Some have no conscience to prick them. Some respond by seeking to cross examine their accusers and trying to introduce extraneous issues in the debate. The president must act, after all he appointed the cabinet, if he can hire he can also fire. So what is the business of stepping aside, fire them and order a fast probe on their affairs. If not you will be sinking with them. Mr. President the time to act is now. 2007 is fast approaching. What legacy of your presidency will you bequeath your country?
Charles Wairia
USA
