When a few years ago Minister Kimunya the then minister in charge of the Finance portfolio stepped down when his name was mentioned in relation to the Anglo leasing scandal, most Kenyans believed that he set an example for all others to follow in future.
Kenyans have suffered a lot from corruption of their own leaders. For many years Kenyan leaders have not been ashamed of looting not only the Loans and the Grants given to Kenya by the donor community, but also the meager resources belonging to the Kenya peasants.
A few Kenyans continue to behave as though they are above the law since the days of the YK 92. When the issue of the maize scandal was raised, Minister for Agriculture, Mr. William Ruto’s name came up.
The Minister refused to step down despite calls by Kenyans for him to step down. A few weeks ago, billions of shillings were stolen from the Ministry of Education.
Despite calls for the Minister for the Education to step down, Hon Ongeri has refused to do so.
Minister Kimunya’s action when he stepped aside after his name was mentioned in relation to a corruption scandal similar to those which Ministers Ongeri and Ruto are associated with, in order to pave way for an investigation, should have been an example for all other Kenyans in leadership position to follow.
Immediately one’s name is mentioned over a crime, atrocity or a vice, one should step down. This is exactly what happens in USA and other developed Nations which we anxiously want to emulate.
This is also exactly what Ministers Ruto and Ongeri should have done without any pressure.. Prime Minister Raila, just like everybody else including me, must have been wondering what unique and special thing the two Ministers have, which gives them courage to refuse to step aside even after such a national outcry.
Whether Prime Minister Raila was right or wrong in suspending the two, which I doubt he was, as a supervisor of all those in the Kenya Cabinet, stepping down of both Ministers Ruto and Ongeri is long overdue.
Now that President Kibaki has reinstated both Ministers Ruto and Ongeri only four hours after Prime Minister suspended them, he should explain to Kenyans his next plan of action to deal with both the maize scandal and the lost money in the Ministry of Education.
We want transparency and accountability in our beloved Nation, Kenya.
Newton Kinity.
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