CORD leaders want devolution ministry disbanded

CORD MPs led by Bonny Khalwale, Hassan Omar, Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetangula, National Assembly Minority Leader Francis Nyenze and National Assembly Minority Chief Whip Thomas Mwadeghu during a press conference at Parliament on Thursday 12/11/15 [PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) wants the Ministry of Devolution dissolved and its core functions transferred to the counties. The Opposition is angered by recent corruption allegations associated with the ministry.

Speaking at a press conference at Parliament Buildings, about 20 legislators led by CORD co-principal and Senator Moses Wetang’ula (Bungoma) lashed out at Speaker Justin Muturi for agreeing to be used by the Executive to block Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru’s removal from office.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said: “If the President wants this public outcry to go away, he must dissolve the Ministry of Devolution. The entire budget should be passed on to the governors to manage the projects and functions. Waiguru should not enjoy special treatment,” said Khalwale. They wondered why the Speaker is determined to protect Waiguru using Standing Order number one.

They faulted Muturi’s move to reject Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter’s impeachment motion on grounds that there had been a threshold set by the High Court on the issue affecting a public officer. “Muturi is missing the point. He cannot use the High Court ruling to prevent a censure motion. Sometimes it’s used to name, shame and parade those linked to graft,” said Wetang’ula.

He stated, “The ruling of the High Court has no bearing on the conduct of business in the House and cannot block such motions.”

Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery was also not spared the lawmakers’ wrath over his recent attack on the media following publication of a story highlighting a Sh3.8 billion audit query in his Ministry.

Wetang’ula, who is also the Minority Leader in the Senate, took Nkaissery head on for sending chilling messages to journalists for exposing corruption. “While issuing such chilling and criminal threats to journalists, Nkaissery also violated the Constitution by insinuating that only the President and his deputy are free from arrest,” he said.