State won't victimise Ngilu, says DP William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto Saturday responded to criticism by local leaders that individuals were being targeted in the fight against corruption and said the Government would not victimise any community to curb graft.

Ruto also dismissed talk that the Kamba were being targeted after Lands Cabinet Secretary appeared in court  last week to answer to charges that she had obstructed justice.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee at St Charles Lwanga School in Kitui County Saturday, the DP asked: “Why are people claiming that Ngilu is being victimised?”

Ruto observed that Dr Monica Juma, whose confirmation as Secretary to the Cabinet, was rejected by MPs, had been appointed by the Jubilee administration to serve as Principal Secretary.

“We promoted her from the position of an ambassador to Principal Secretary. We are left wondering when some people claim that we are marginalising the Kamba community,” said Ruto.

He added: “The exercise of vetting must be based on professionalism and competence.”

Ruto said Kenyans should discard the notion that the Government was discriminating against some communities in public appointments or on war on graft. He also raised the issue of the resignation of former Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission chairman Mumo Matemu and his deputy Esther Keino. “Is Keino also a Kamba?” he asked.

 The DP said that CSs from other communities, among them Davis Chirchir, Felix Kosgei, Kazungu Kambi and Michael Kamau, had stepped aside to pave way for investigations over alleged corruption, and noted the ministers were innocent until proven guilty.

He said the Jubilee administration was firmly in-charge of the country and was committed to implementing its campaign pledges and would serve all Kenyans equally irrespective of their political affiliations, religion, region or ethnic backgrounds.

The DP noted that some of the developments in the political and public sphere was a result of actions by independent institutions, therefore, “it is not right for anyone to blame the Government over the suspension of Cabinet Secretaries, among them Charity Ngilu, over allegations of corruption.”

Ruto said the Government had rolled out development projects across the country, for instance, the construction of the standard gauge railway, 10,000 kilometres of roads under the annuity programme, generation of electricity, improvement of health facilities and rural electrification among other projects.

He also said the Government had allocated Sh18billion towards the construction of Thwake dam and another Sh20 million to Masinga dam to provide water for domestic and irrigation purposes to the Kitui and Mwingi areas.  He commended Kamba leaders for putting aside their political differences and working together to promote development.

The DP was accompanied by Wiper MPs Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Joe Mutambu (Mwingi Central), Bernard Kitungi (Mwingi West), Robert Mutemi (nominated), John Munuve (Mwingi North), Bernard Shinali- UDF (Ikolomani) and Governor Julius Malombe.

In his speech, Malombe pointed out that there was a feeling among the Kamba community that the Government was marginalising its people after MPs refused to confirm Dr Juma. Ngilu also appeared in court shortly after Matemu resigned.

The MPs pledged to work closely with the Government to promote development.

Mutambo asked MPs to reconsider their stand on Juma’s case, saying: “I appeal to my colleagues to give Juma the opportunity to continue serving in the Government.