Transfers were in order, says William Ruto

Ann Waiguru                       PHOTO: COURTESY

Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has finally broken his silence over the removal of Kiplimo Rugut as the Director General of the National Youth Service and asked those seeking to impeach Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru over the civil servant’s controversial transfer to leave her alone.

Ruto said he and President Uhuru Kenyatta took full responsibility over the transfers and rebuked members of the Jubilee coalition who have declared that they will impeach the Cabinet Secretary over the irregular transfer.   “Politicians should stop harassing a junior person over the transfer and those who are not satisfied with the latest development should direct their grievances to me and the President,” he said.

Scoffed at attempts

The Deputy President, who was speaking in Kericho County, ended speculations over what he knew about the transfer    that has sparked tension within the Jubilee Coalition, with some members in Ruto’s URP party stating that Mr Rugut’s transfer and subsequent replacement by Dr Nelson Githinji was in violation of the party’s pre-election pact with The National Alliance (TNA) party as if favoured candidates  aligned to the latter.

However, yesterday Ruto scoffed at attempts to impeach Ms Waiguru.

“It is the responsibility of the Public Service Commission to transfer all public servants and if people are not satisfied, they should ask me or the President,” Ruto said in an apparent rebuttal of  sentiments expressed by his MPs that TNA had shortchanged URP in State appointments.

“I do no’t understand why some disgruntled people are only raising questions over this transfer yet we have had other appointments,” Ruto said. The Deputy President said the Rift Valley had in the past benefited from the appointments at the Kenya National Hospital and the National Social Security Fund. 

“Why are we complaining about this particular transfer yet when we had several other appointments but no one said anything?” he posed.

Already a Motion of notice to impeach Waiguru that was fronted by Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi has gained momentum with over 100 MPs signing a petition to support the motion at the floor of the house when Parliament re-opens.

Last week, The Standard on Sunday reported that Ruto had okayed the transfer despite the hue and cry by URP supporters that the TNA wing of the Jubilee coalition were unfairly targeting public servants from Rift Valley for removal from key positions in the public service.

Addressing other issues  on impeachments yesterday, Ruto assured Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony of his support.

Chepkwony was recently impeached by Kericho County Assembly and the Senate has now been summoned for a special session to deliberate on the impeachment.

 “I would like to assure the people of Kericho that the issue of Governor Chepkwony will be resolved,” said Ruto who added that the Jubilee Government would deliver on its promises to all Kenyans without discrimination. Ruto sought to assure residents that the Government was working on a plan to reduce the cost of electricity so that more  Kenyans could have electricity in their homes.

“We must restructure Kenya Power company to make it efficient, therefore, we are warning cartels in Kenya Power. We have a comprehensive plan to connect all primary schools with electricity by the end of this year,” he added.

Divide coalition

Other leaders have also weighed in on the issue of Rugut’s transfer with Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki saying such talk would divide the ruling coalition.

“If we are not careful the Opposition will use this opportunity and divide us,” said Kindiki who added that the   appointment of senior servants was the responsibility of the President and his deputy and dismissed the plot to censure Waiguru.

“There are others who are telling lies, saying because Rugut was transferred, Jubilee has failed. The appointment of civil servants is in the hands of the President and Deputy President,” he said.

Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale asked members of the ruling coalition to be wary of saboteurs.

“Some people pretend to be defending Ruto but the truth of the matter is that they are working for their masters who fund their activities,” he said.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, who has been advocating for Waiguru’s censure,  however, steered clear of the issue when he rose to speak.

“I was angry after Rugut’s transfer but as an MP, our work is to act as watchdogs and accommodate all Kenyans. Kenya does not belong to a single community and as a young leadership, we should work together for cohesion and national unity,” Mr Keter said.