Kenya's Jubilee MPs divided over list of 'shame'

Kenya: The storm raised by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) list of shame continues to draw praise and criticism in equal measure in Rift Valley region.

Over 10 United Republican Party (URP) MPs have accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of conspiring to tarnish the image of their party.

Nandi Senator Stephen arap Sang and National Assembly members Silas Tiren (Moiben), Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South), Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East), William Kisang (Marakwet West), Cornelly Serem (Aldai), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Julius Melly (Tinderet) and Zipporah Kerring (Nandi Woman Rep) spoke during a fundraiser at Kobujoi Catholic Church in Aldai Constituency on Sunday.

The Nandi senator doubted the 'corrupt list' originated from EACC and accused the presidency of creating the list to target promising leaders in URP.

"We would like EACC to come clear and tell Kenyans the origin of the said corrupt list. It is obvious that the anti-graft commission did not prepare this list going by the fact that most of the public officials named in the list had not been summoned by EACC," said Sang.

He said the whole issue will backfire squarely on the President and his Government.

"This is not a fight against corruption but a personal, political move meant to hurt URP, its leaders and their reputation," said Sang.

But Tiaty MP Asman Kamama is leading another group of legislators allied to the Jubilee Alliance in supporting the President and his deputy in the fight against graft. He dismissed claims that the directive by the Head of State to Cabinet secretaries and other senior officers to step aside would have a negative political implication in Rift Valley.

"Leaders in this region fully support the President and his deputy on this. We know some forces within and out of the Rift Valley are using this to fight the Deputy President but as leaders we are fully behind him," he said.

Kamama revealed that the National Assembly will use its powers to force 12 governors named in the report to step aside.

"During debate on the President's State of Nation address, we (MPs) will make sure all the 175 individuals step aside. That is the support we want to give the President in the war against corruption," said the MP who chairs the Committee on Administration and National Security.

Speaking separately, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso also maintained all those mentioned must step aside, adding that Parliament was ready to support Uhuru and Ruto on the war against corruption.

"Even if it means freezing development fund to counties whose governors will not cooperate so be it. We will only allow funds for recurrent expenditure to those counties until the governors' step aside," she said.

She said Ruto is at the forefront in the war against corruption and the list of shame has no political implications.

Ainamoi MP Benjamin Lagat and his Bomet Central counterpart Bernard Tonui also demanded that governors linked to corruption must vacated office to pave way for investigations.

Plunder resources

"Parliament will play its role to ensure that all officials mentioned in the report step aside to allow investigations or else we will be left with no option but to exercise our powers," said Lagat.

Senator Liz Chelule (URP nominated) said nobody is above the law in the fight against corruption.

"Leaders should stop hiding behind claims that they were elected by people and therefore the President has no powers to ask them to step aside. Being elected does not give one a leeway to plunder public resources," said Chelule.

Molo MP Jacob Macharia said the Economic Crimes Act was clear on elected leaders stepping aside to pave way for investigations once implicated in such crimes.

His Pokot South counterpart David Pkosing said they support the fight against corruption but EACC should be cautious while dealing with the list.

"This is rag tag politics, public crucification of a few members to save the rest," said Tinderet MP Julius Melly.