Opposition could claim moral victory following CS Anne Waiguru’s resignation

NAIROBI: The resignation of Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru is a victory for the Opposition, which for months has sustained calls for her to take responsibility for high levels of corruption in her docket.

Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga led the Opposition onslaught against Ms Waiguru whom he said was at the core of a massive corruption network in her ministry.

When allegations of corruption were raised in Waiguru’s ministry, it was alleged that nearly Sh800 million had been stolen at the National Youth Service (NYS) through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS), the standardised method through which the Government undertakes all its payments.

However, Waiguru at first denied that any money had been lost but later revealed some Sh791 million had been stolen. However, she then dug in as the Opposition and dissenting voices within Jubilee sharpened their claws in preparation for a titanic fight against her.

She claimed the moral high ground by saying that she was the one who blew the whistle on the attempted fraud and called in detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the matter.

But speaking during a meeting with members of the Kenya Editors Guild in September, Raila said: “The Cabinet Secretary (Waiguru) was involved in a massive cover-up when she said that no money was lost in her ministry.

In fact, she said that she nipped the fraud in the bud. What was her interest in misleading the country?”

He added: “Again, it is the President who said, while asking those in the list of shame to resign that he does not know whether they are guilty or not. One then wonders why Waiguru remains in office to defend herself while others like Ngilu (suspended Lands Cabinet Secretary), Kamau (suspended Transport Cabinet Secretary) and the rest were asked to step aside.”

Raila repeatedly accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of giving Waiguru preferential treatment in Jubilee administration’s declared fight against high-profile corruption in public service.

The CORD leader questioned Waiguru’s continued stay in office yet other Cabinet secretaries who had been accused of corruption had been forced to step out for months, even those who have been cleared by the the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) or the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). During a political tour of the North Rift and Western region last week, the President appeared to answer his critics when he said: “I did not consult them when I appointed the ministers and will make my own decision not based on noise by some people.”

His statement was aimed at Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter who has been as vocal as Raila in demanding that Waiguru vacates her office. When Planning Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti was charged alongside NYS director Nelson Githinji, Raila accused President Kenyatta of shielding the “high priestess” of corruption, an obvious reference to Ms Waiguru.

In September, Waiguru threatened to sue Raila for defamation over the loss of funds at NYS.

Yesterday, CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka welcomed Waiguru’s resignation, saying he has nothing personal against her.

“We welcome her resignation but this government is suffering from a systemic corruption. The Devolution Ministry should be scrapped because it has been used to kill devolution, weaken the opposition through inducing MPs with dubious projects and in the process compromising integrity.”

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter said his prayers had been answered.

Speaking at Eldoret International Airport, a jubilant Keter said Waiguru had taken a bold step. “My prayer and that of many Kenyans have been answered,” he said. He added: “It is a relief for even us MPs who have lately found ourselves in an awkward position while fighting graft through the National Assembly.”