I will not decamp to Opposition, says suspended Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu

Chama Cha Uzalendo party leader Wavinya Ndeti with suspended Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu during a fundraiser in aid of St Jude Catholic Church in Athi River, Machakos County, on Sunday. [photo: PETERSON GITHAIGA/Standard]

Suspended Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu yesterday said she will not leave Government even after being asked to step aside from the lands docket following graft allegations.

Ms Ngilu also appealed to Kamba leaders to support the Government for the sake of development in the region. She spoke at Athi River on Sunday during a fundraiser in aid of St Jude's Catholic Church, where she said some powerful cartels in the Lands ministry undermined her and also contributed to her suspension.

"I did part of the work that I was given by President Uhuru Kenyatta when I was appointed as Lands Cabinet secretary. Part of the assignment was to make sure Kenyans who own land get their title deeds, which I did. However those 'powerful' individuals were not happy with my achievement," she said. Ngilu said she was ready to serve Kenyans in any capacity.

"If we leave the Government now, we will be forced to struggle with only 15 per cent of the Government revenue collected, which is distributed to the counties. Therefore, I urge you to stick with the Government so that we can benefit in matters development," she pleaded.

Former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and his Makueni counterpart Daniel Maanzo urged the President to reinstate her.

COUNTRYWIDE DEMOS

Mr Makau said if Ngilu was not reinstated, he would mobilise demonstrations countrywide in protest of the Government's decision. "The fight against graft must be fought in equal measures for all. I wonder why Anne Waiguru (Devolution Cabinet secretary) is still in office while our own Ngilu remains suspended," he said. Mr Maanzo said it was unfair for the Government to victimise Ngilu.