Staff at AG office cry foul over claims of tribalism

By MUTINDA MWANZIA

Staff at the office of the Attorney General have written to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the AG Prof Githu Muigai and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission over alleged tribalism.

They claim tribalism was being practiced from the highest office.

"All departments are either headed by or deputised by people from one community. As Kenya gears towards national cohesion and integration, a lot needs to be done in some government offices and departments," said the staff in the letter obtained by The Standard.

The staff alleged the Budget Committee, which meets every Tuesday, is composed of individuals from one community. The committee members are Solicitor General Wanjuki Muchemi as chairman, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Muthoni Kimani who serves as the alternate chair, Onesmus Mutua, senior deputy secretary, John Karu, chief economist, Joseph Mutuma, chief finance, Simon Karanja, accounts controller, Patrick Njoroge, ICT officer, Ephantus Thiga, procurement officer and Miriam Gitau, human resource officer.

"These are people who meet to agree on the utilisation of all resources allocated to the Attorney General’s office. Is it by design that all come from one community," posed the staff in the letter.

They claimed that all projects are designed to benefit some contractors from one community.

"One contractor supplies ICT materials using different companies," said the letter.

They petitioned Githu to disband the committee and pick reforms oriented individuals from all communities. The staff asked NCIC Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia and his team to address the matter urgently, as most of them were demoralised.

Compensation claims

"Some departments like Treaties and Agreements are packed with people from one community," claimed the staff.

A supremacy battle has been raging at the AG’s office pitting Githu and Muchemi over the transfer of four State counsel to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The four officers have had their salaries stopped for proceeding on transfer without the Solicitor General’s nod.

And an audit of compensation claims paid in the year 2010-2011 done by the Kenya National Audit Office revealed that there was need to verify all awards before payments to avoid illegalities.