Past high profile resignations from Government

By Susan Anyangu

First Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was the first top State official to resign from Government.

Upon independence in 1963, President Jomo Kenyatta appointed Jaramogi VP.

The two clashed and Jaramogi resigned in 1966 and formed a new party, the Kenya People’s Union.

The resignation would pave the way for Joseph Murumbi, who would become Kenya’s second VP.

Mr Murumbi would later resign from the Government after slightly over a year.

He was reportedly unhappy with Kenyatta’s heavy hand in dealing with political opposition and corruption in Government.

Murumbi was thought to be close to Pio Gama Pinto, Bildad Kaggia and Dennis Akumu, who were critics of the Kenyatta administration.

In President Daniel Moi’s era, Transport and Communication Minister and Kiharu MP Kenneth Matiba would be the first to resign on December 9, 1988.

His troubles began in early 1988 when he did not clinch his Kanu sub-branch chairmanship.

Matiba claimed the party grassroots elections were rigged and saw the Kiharu Kanu elections as a direct disenfranchisement for him as minister.

Mwai Kibaki would also resign from the Moi Government to form the Democratic Party on Christmas Day in 1991.

Replaced as vice

Despite being replaced as VP in 1988, Kibaki’s exit was gradual and without much fuss, which ensured he was not alienated politically.

He survived in Government between 1988 and 1991 and by the time he resigned, he was Minister for Health.

Career civil servant Simeon Nyachae, who plunged into politics in 1992, would later resign as Finance Minister in 1999.

Nyachae’s woes in Government and Treasury were linked to his style of management.

He was seen as too frank on his docket, giving information that irked former President Moi.

big debtors

This would be followed by an announcement revealing big-time debtors of the then troubled National Bank of Kenya.

Nyachae’ resigned from Government. Last year, Mr Amos Kimunya was forced to step aside following the irregular sale of the Grand (now Laico) Regency Hotel.

His predecessor David Mwiraria had been forced to resign after he was mentioned in the Anglo Leasing scam. Then Justice Minister Kiraitu Murungi was forced out of office over the scandal.

Education Minister George Saitoti stepped aside over the Goldnberg scandal.