Muslim leaders urge ministers to step aside

By Patrick Beja

Muslim leaders have called for action against Cabinet ministers whose ministries have been mentioned in connection with maize and Free Primary Education scams.

Kenya Muslim National Advisory Council (Kemnac) want ministers to bear responsibility for the scams.

Kemnac Chairman Juma Ngao and Secretary-General Al Hajji Kassim Zani said the ministers should follow suit after Permanent Secretaries stepped aside for three months to allow for investigation into the scandals at the weekend.

"The call for leaders to step aside to allow for investigation into these scandals should not be politicised. The war on graft should also not be cosmetic," said Mr Ngao.

PSs Karega Mutahi (Education), Romano Kiome (Agriculture), Ali Mohamed (Special Programmes) and Mohamed Isahakia (Office of Prime Minister) have so far stepped aside to pave the way for investigation.

Ministers Sam Ongeri (Education), William Ruto (Agriculture) are now under pressure to step aside to allow fair investigation.

Addressing a press conference at a Mombasa hotel yesterday, Ngao said Prime Minister Raila Odinga should also be put in the spotlight over the maize and FPE scams as supervisor of the ministries.