Quit now, more leaders tell Ringera

By Allan Kisia, Francis Ngige and Joel Okwayo

Embattled Justice Aaron Ringera on Saturday faced more pressure to step down as the director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).

ACK Archbishop Eliud Wabukala and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa said Ringera and his deputy Fatuma Sichale should not wait any longer.

They said the two should emulate Dr Smokin Wanjala who resigned on Friday after Parliament rejected the reappointment of KACC bosses by President Kibaki.

"The two should do the honourable thing and pave way for proper appointment to the commission," said Wabukala who is also the chairman of the National Anti Corruption Campaign Steering Committee.

Wamalwa said Ringera and Sichale should step down and apply for the job when it is advertised.

Limited options

"We are not saying that they cannot get the job back after they resign. What we want is proper procedure to be followed in the appointment," added Wamalwa.

The two made the remarks in Bumula during the burial of Rt Rev Isaac Namango, former ACK bishop of Nambale Diocese.

Wabukala challenged Parliament to ensure strict laws are enacted to guide appointment of people to senior offices in Government.

"Seal the loopholes now. Don’t wait until a mistake is made then you make a lot of noise," he added.

Githunguri MP Njoroge Baiya said the question was not whether Ringera should resign or not since he was no longer in office following Parliament’s resolution.

"Ringera and his two deputies are already jobless and Kenyans are now waiting for Kacc Advisory Board to advertise the positions. It cannot be clearer than this," said Baiya.

MPs Evans Akula (Khwisero) and Ben Washiali (Mumias) said Ringera should quit to avoid more embarrassment.

Mwea MP Peter Gitau also called for the resignation of Ringera saying Kenyans had spoken through their MPs.

"This was a very embarrassing for the President and Ringera should not further the embarrassment by staying put in the office when he is unwanted," said Gitau.

He added: "Even if the President decides to keep him, he is still faced with another bigger hurdle of lacking finances to operate. If it comes to that the commission would just cease to exist."

Kandara MP Maina Kamau said as a matter of public interest, Ringera should step down but insisted that the final decision lay with the President.