Kenya Minister and PS step aside over fraud

By James Ratemo

Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and his PS, Thuita Mwangi have stepped aside to pave way for investigations into the sh1.54billion Embassy land scandal in Tokyo, Japan.

Wetangula said he is a victim of conspiracy by enemies and a hostile media hence "for the sake of Sirisia (his constituency), Kenya, friends, PNU (his political party) and family," he decided to step aside to give government room for investigations.

Speaking during a news conference at the Ministry's office in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon, the Minister maintained his innocence over the scandal saying: "My innocence is guaranteed and I promise to be back."

His stepping aside came just hours before Parliament was set to conclude debate on a report by the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, which recommended that the minister and his permanent secretary step aside to facilitate investigations.

Earlier in the day, PS Thuita Mwangi had stepped aside to also allow independent investigations to proceed.

According to a statement read by House Speaker Kenneth Marende in Parliament, Wetangula had stepped aside after consultation with the President and Prime Minister.

He said his accusers had manufactured lies to implicate him in illegal deals over the purchase of a diplomatic property in Tokyo for Sh1.54billion.

"I step aside purely as a matter of personal dignity and professional integrity…to give room and pleasure to those who have been hounding and tormenting me for the past 3 to 4 weeks."

Thuita who had a fortnight ago vowed to stay put, also handed over his ‘request to step aside’ letter to President Kibaki on Wednesday.

"His Excellency the President, Hon Mwai Kibaki, has today accepted the request by Mr. Thuita Mwangi, to step aside as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to allow for investigations on the report tabled in Parliament by the Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations regarding purchase of and/or Disposal of Government Properties at Foreign Missions," read a statement from the President's office.

"I have decided to voluntarily step aside from the conduct and responsibilities of the Ministry, in order to allow the competent Government Organs to fully and without impediment investigate all matters of concern raised in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations on construction, purchase and disposal of properties abroad," read Thuita’s letter in part.

Thuita hopes that at the conclusion of the on-going investigations by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, the appropriateness of his engagement "with all aspects of the operations pertaining to the scandal will undoubtedly be established."

"I step aside purely as a matter of personal dignity and professional integrity, indeed, the very same dignity and integrity I have upheld in the performance of my duties for more than twenty-two years of public service at various levels in the Government," pleaded the PS.

Mwangi allegedly signed the sh1.54 billion land selling deal that has degenerated into a heated debate in parliament.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Moses Wetangula, on Tuesday in Parliament laid the blame squarely on Thuita and other Ministry technocrats as he battled to exonerate himself from blame.

Wetangula’s and Mwangi’s decision comes a week after Higher Education Minister William Ruto was also shown the door pending the outcome of his court case where he is charged with fraudulently obtaining Sh96m from Kenya Pipeline Company claiming he was in a position to sell them land.

Kenyans will be watching how the Foreign Affairs Ministry investigation goes and whether Wetangula will resume his ministerial duties like others before him.

Those who stepped aside in the past but returned to the Cabinet include David Mwiraria, Kiraitu Murungi, and Amos Kimunya.