After Ringera, target ministers’ appointees

When Parliament nullified the re-appointment of Justice Aaron Ringera as Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission boss, it also said it would also nullify the appointments of at least five directors of State corporations hired illegally.

Some of the ministers behind these appointments were vocal in condemning President Kibaki’s move and they mu

st now be taught that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

The Tenth Parliament has made history and set a legislative precedent that it has the power to exercise its constitutional mandate.

Therefore, the writing should be on the wall for these directors who were elected to serve narrow, parochial interests that their goose is about to be cooked.

In fact, they should have started packing their personal effects immediately the judge tendered his resignation.

And when they are shown the door, they should not cry that their tribes are being finished.

We are also likely to see less tribal and party groupings and monetary horse-trading in Parliament. The die was first cast when MPs resounding rejected a Government Bill to constitute a local tribunal to try post-election violence suspects.

{Athembo Onyuroh, Kisumu}

Before he left KACC, Ringera spelt out various, critical changes he felt were needed to make the agency more effective in tackling corruption.

He said that it was critical for KACC to be anchored in the Constitution and have certain powers, for example prosecutorial powers.

This would enable it investigate suspects and their associates without requiring a court order.

Ringera also said that wealth declaration, that today is a farce, should only be for those working in revenue collection, procurement, and law enforcement agencies.

The views by the former director came a bit too late in the day but better late than never.

Let us now see Parliament move with the same diligence it showed in its fight to ensure the director went home.

If legislators fail to move quickly to effect the constitutional amendments to overhaul KACC, then Kenyans should agitate for the Government to be dissolved and fresh elections called.

The chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Administration of Justice Isaack Mohammed must table the right Bill as soon as Parliament reconvenes.

{Kariuki Muiri, Karatina}