CS Waiguru: The “I am here to stay” sentiments and implications

Despite the fact that the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Anne Waiguru is faced with damaging relations of alleged corruption in her ministry and calls to take responsibility by MPs across the political divide, she is still adamant in her pronouncement that she will fight on: “I will continue to serve my country diligently as I have always done as I am given the trust to do so,” were her strong wordings.  

Now questions arise: Aren’t those who run procurement and finance or accounts unit in the ministry not under her? Even if she dismisses the allegations, hasn’t corruption taken place in her watch? Who is responsible for it? Can’t she resign and give others a chance to run the ministry instead of becoming a mere whistle-blower in her own docket?

However, the debate dominating the media is the looting of public funds and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru is at the centre of it. For the sake of restoring her punctured dignity, it is not too late for her to step aside to pave way for investigations, the same way her cabinet colleagues did a while back!

Indeed, her continued stay in office portrays the government as being tolerant of corruption and the President being insincere in the war against graft. There is also public image factor on the part of the State. Waiguru need not wait for pressure from any quarter to push her to resign or wait to be sacked altogether!

Interestingly, her firm stand of not to resign or step aside has become an issue in the public domain. She has dismissed all sorts of criticism as calculated and vindictive. Waiguru attributes her dilemma to nothing other than politics and malice.

According to members of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee who questioned her recently, the CS must answer wanton spending unearthed at her ministry. Committee’s Chairman Nicholas Gumbo put it: “…the attitude towards public funds is to me like they are handling waste papers.” And when asked by the media if she was ready to take responsibility and step aside, she said: “…if directly linked to the misappropriation, but you cannot impute an offence by somebody else.”

For some time now, Devolution Cabinet Secretary’s name has been in the limelight over graft. A group of Jubilee politicians wished to “rescue” her from impeachment motion brought by the controversial Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter. However, it is high time that she takes action herself on the disappearance of Sh791 million from the NYS kitty. The huge funds revealed the rot is not only a procurement scandal, but also misappropriation and spending spree can no longer be ignored and a just action must be seen to be done on this seemingly daylight robbery skewed in the name of procurement. It is high time, therefore, that the buck stops at her. Trying to evade responsibility is unacceptable and can no longer be tolerated by the public on her and the Jubilee administration totality.

It is high time, therefore, that the President addressed the genuine concerns of worried Kenyans. They demand action and more probably new buses or an entire overhaul of public resources. Although CS Waiguru is not directly an officer concerned with issues to do with procurement and accountability, she is to blame. And in order for her to maintain her integrity and credibility, she should step aside as per the law!

In conclusion, Ms. Waiguru ought to have been out of office as we analyze the issue of graft since she is in charge of the ministry and all the departments under her docket including NYS as such, she is entitled to know everything going on there, but not to tell us that she is a whistle-blower, for who? What is her actual role? In her duties and responsibilities, all departmental heads are answerable to her. The feeling among Kenyan populace is for her to step aside. Period!

However, the adamant minister is becoming a liability and a menace to the ruling Jubilee coalition – and may bring division from within if the status quo is maintained. The opposition would very much want to capitalize on the situation and make a kill come the 2017 general election. In fact, proudly they say corruption allegations against the entire government will strengthen their campaign platform.

But Jubilee lawmakers, at the moment, have warned that they will not relent or watch as Uhuru’s reign is being destroyed by people he has entrusted with serving in his government including the burning issue in Ms. Waiguru’s Ministry. Led by Aden Duale, the Majority leader underlined: “Our very own Devolution and Planning will be investigated and subjected to due process of the law and not mob lynching,” but the Mukurweini MP Kabondo wa Kabondo, has bitterly complained in his observation, “We must humbly request our President to crack the whip, sack the said CS if she doesn’t voluntarily step aside in 48 hours. Our president should now reorganize the Executive to bring hope and confidence in our regime.”

Though fair investigations are necessary on the allegations, the matter is so grave that it needs urgent address. There are serious signs of growing unease over the likely damage to the nation by graft government top officials. That is why even the closest allies to the President have become bold to tell the President to remove the Cabinet Secretary from the government or else dire consequences will be meted by the electorate on his Jubilee administration!

Kurgat Martin Is a Political Analyst and a Commentator on Topical Issues