Ruto must stick with Uhuru in 2017 or else he’ll be dead meat - Miguna Miguna

 He doesn’t mind being appointed anti-corruption chief and thinks Raila is a joker

Miguna Miguna is back and firing from both barrels. He doesn’t mind being appointed anti-corruption chief and thinks Raila is a joker who will never be Kenya’s president. Irvin Jalang’o transcribed his interview on KTN’s Jeff Koinange Live

What do people abroad think of corruption in Kenya?

We have a bad reputation. People believe the culture of impunity here is so pervasive and that there is no rule of law. Institutions like the Judiciary and police, as well as professionals, are all plagued by corruption. But I refuse to be a cynic. As much as there is corruption, there are still a few honest people who are committed to the general good.

What are your thoughts on the resignation of anti-corruption chief Mumo Matemu and his deputy?

The so-called ‘List of Shame’ must be thoroughly investigated. I don’t think it’s over. There are allegations which I believe are credible. The allegations pertain to things they did or did not do during their tenure. The fact that you resign does not make the allegations disappear. These allegations should be inquired into and findings made public. It is just the office which you have left, but the records remain unchanged.

So, is there a stalemate regarding the files of the 175 or more individuals implicated in the list now that the commissioners have all resigned?

Here, I have to agree with the Attorney-General. The commission is not the commissioners. The institutions are independent and still operational. Even after an election, we have a government. It does not stop because a few people are absent. The suspects should still be investigated and action taken if there is sufficient evidence to sustain a case. If the President stands his ground on this, I can assure you people who had not even thought of voting for him will elect him in the next elections. I think the President’s State of the Nation address was the best speech in this country by a president to date. It was the best in content and delivery. He promised action in 60 days and we are watching.

Would you be interested in taking Matemu’s job?

Yes, I would take the job! I would take it and turn it around in six months. There is a difference between people who just talk, and a person with spine. I opposed Matemu’s appointment because I believed he had no integrity. I’m not even surprised he resigned. He would not have occupied that office elsewhere in the world given the issues that were raised during his vetting. I confronted somebody in this country whom nobody thought I could challenge.

But the big boys are untouchable...

Who are the “big boys”? I thought it is the President’s right? And he said corruption will not be tolerated. We should not fear hardtackling and dealing with this monster.

Are you not afraid of being killed?

That’s a bad thought. Is there anything we would do without that fear? We lawyers go to court to represent all manner of people, but we still do our job. The media exposes all manner of maladies in society. Somebody has to stand up and ignore such threats.

There was a lot of controversy regarding the parastatal appointments. What are your thoughts?

There were positives and negatives. There were concentrations in certain families which should not happen. Some appointees have also outlived their usefulness. Some people like Kalembe Ndile are not even qualified. What else can he do outside politics? Why would you appoint three people from the same family yet there are 40 million Kenyans. The interesting thing is that Raila’s sister, who is probably over aged 64, was appointed. She already served in the US. How come the Odingas did not turn the offer down because it came from the Jubilee government, or accused her of being a mole? Instead, they say she is very qualified. Raychelle Omamo is just as qualifed, yet they booed during Fidel Odinga’s burial. Why? The President appointed Odinga’s sister to demonstrate that he holds no grudge. That’s a good thing.

It’s said the President has the right frame of mind to push this country forward, but the people around him...

No, no, no! That’s an excuse. He is the one who selected the people around him. People only surround themselves with the people they want around them. The people around you are a reflection of you. They were not picked by mistake, they were chosen. If someone around you does something wrong, send them away. The voters elected Uhuru Kenyatta and the buck stops with him. His hands are not tied. He has the majority in Parliament and there is the law. The conflict within URP is an inter, not intra conflict within TNA. It is afflicting the Deputy President. Makes you wonder if the building that is former office of the Prime Minister which houses the DP’s office now is cursed! William Ruto is doing the exact same thing, destroying himself. If he wants to succeed President Uhuru, let him accommodate dissent. The person who wants you to change is your friend. If Isaac Ruto’s critiques of the DP are credible, he should take them into consideration.

What about Ruto running for president in 2017?

It will be suicidal. If he’s considering it, let him take it from me. He can’t, he shouldn’t vie. It doesn’t matter how much money he has. Remember Kibaki had all the money in 2007 against Raila, yet Raila defeated him. Yes, Raila won the 2007 elections. I believe he lost in 2013. So, Ruto has to stick with Uhuru in 2017, otherwise he is dead.

What about Raila, can he be president?

No, who is Baba? A joker cannot be president. You cannot compare him with Buhari (Nigerian president). Can Raila run a country, let alone a party?