North Rift leaders defend Felix Koskei against corruption claims

As Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei stepped aside Saturday, a section of leaders from the North Rift rushed to his defence over graft allegations levelled against him.

During an inter-county consultative meeting on agriculture, convened by the Uasin Gishu County Government in Eldoret, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter said Koskei had worked hard to transform the sector.

“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has never summoned Koskei over corruption allegations. Koskei has assisted in eradicating cartels that have been influencing tea prices at Mombasa auction,” said Keter.

The MP said the CS has worked for the interest of farmers and wondered why he has been listed among those linked with corruption.

“It is just last week when I asked the President to declare corruption a national disaster only to be shocked to be among those listed in the report,” said Keter, who is also a member of the parliamentary committee on agriculture.

He took issue with EACC, saying the war on corruption should not be politicised. “Corruption should be free of politics so that EACC can make independent decisions. Some of us who have been hunters against corruption are now being hunted,” he said.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said the agriculture ministry has performed well and was the first to embrace devolution. The consultative meeting was convened to discuss challenges affecting the cereals producing counties of Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzoia.