Jubilee MPs claim Kiplimo Rugut was sacked to pave way for corruption at NYS

NANDI COUNTY: Two Jubilee parliamentarians have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to suspend Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and Nandi Women Representative Zipporah Kerring termed corruption allegations brought against Waiguru 'serious' and called on the CS to do 'the right thing' by stepping aside to pave way for investigations.

Keter alleged the Devolution Ministry consciously planned to carry out corruption activities when they 'eliminated' former National Youth Service Director Kiplimo Rugut last year.

"Last year I complained about the way Rugut was sacked from the helm of NYS, that was a calculated move to eliminate a straight forward individual to pave way for another who would allow for graft to take place," he said.

The Nandi-Hills legislator said NYS had turned into a corrupt institution in need of serious investigations and clean-up, and called on Waiguru and Director General Dr Nelson Githinji to step aside.

"Waiguru cannot avoid bearing the responsibility of NYS, the CS and Dr Githinji are solely responsible for the rot in the institution," said Keter.

Nandi Women Representative revealed that female legislators had been approached by officials in the Jubilee government who wanted them to lobby public support for Waiguru by defending her in the media and public forums.

"I refuse to be part of women parliamentarians who will lobby support for public officials facing corruption accusations, it is wrong and a misuse of my responsibility to represent Kenyans," said Kerring.

The two legislators accused the Presidency of protecting Waiguru while willing to 'sacrifice' other public officials in the name of fighting corruption.

"This is having double standards, the President is derailing the fight against graft," they said.

Nandi Senator Stephen arap Sang however, refuted accusations that the Presidency was protecting Waiguru terming corruption accusations against the CS as 'politically instigated attacks.'

"This is a political move by the opposition to derail the working of the Jubilee government, we cannot allow the opposition to undermine hardworking public officials with mere unproved allegations of graft," he said.

Sang said it was becoming a 'habit' to subject Cabinet Secretaries and other public officials to step down on a basis of 'mere allegations' of graft where he said the country risked making public officials 'vulnerable' to political witch hunts and unwarranted crucification by the opposition.

"Soon all CS's, MDs and other senior government officials will be subjected to these politically instigated witch hunts with a cover of fighting graft, we must protect our officials from future political vindictiveness," said the Nandi Senator.

Keter and Kerring spoke in Lessos at a launch of a health facility, while Senator Sang spoke in Aldai Constituency on a development tour.