Resign, Moi tells grumbling ministers

By Stella Mwangi

Former President Moi has asked Cabinet ministers who are dissatisfied with the Government to resign.

Moi said ministers and their assistants criticising the Coalition Government are hypocritical.

"It is a shame to see a minister attacking the same Government he or she is serving," he said.

Moi said disgruntled ministers to resign instead of continuing to cling to their dockets.

"Why stick in Government like a tick and keep on criticising? You should quit," he said.

Speaking at Nyayo Gardens, Nakuru, during the graduation of District Peace Committee members, Moi asked Cabinet members to protect the institution.

The former Head of State said it was crucial for ministers to respect Cabinet decisions.

Former President Moi speaks during the Nakuru District Peace Committee Graduation Ceremony at Nyayo Gardens in the town. [PHOTO: Lucas Thuo/STANDARD]

"Ministers should not expose what they have decided in public, but instead stick to making policies during meetings," he said.

He also asked Kenyans to embrace peace and reconciliation to avoid future violence.

"We are living in a very critical period in the history of this nation. Unless we unite, regardless of political affiliation, we will have more problems," he said.

Moi asked MPs and councillors to take peace and reconciliation courses. The former President blamed bad leadership for the riots in universities.

"If you look to about ten years back, when these students were children, you will realise that people who are leaders today were behaving in the same manner," he said.

The students, he said, had copied what they had seen and now, as grown-ups, were practising it.

Moi said leaders should always be careful with their utterances and actions in public, as those they lead look up to them.

More schools

Kenyatta University was closed after students went on the rampage last Sunday night.

They burnt property worth millions of shillings as they protested against poor administration.

On the creation of new districts, the former president said: "Wananchi should be very careful when asking President Kibaki to give them new districts. The districts require funds to build and operate and 209 are too many. Where will you get money to sustain them?" he asked.

He said instead of asking for new districts, the public should demand the construction of more schools and other amenities.

Rongai MP Luka Kigen Special Programmes PS Ali Mohammed Ali, Rift Valley PC Hassan Noor Hassan, Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki, and Nakuru Judge Martha Koome attended the function.