Why parliament should reject Kimemia

By Jacktone S. Ambuka

The Administration and national security committee and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), two institutions founded by the Kenyan government- unveiled a damning report explaining why  Mr. Francis Kimemia should not be confirmed by the parliament to become the secretary to the cabinet in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

The EACC submitted evidence linking Mr. Kimemia to malpractices, allegations of corruption, political bias, favouritism and nepotism.

The report questioned Mr. Kimemia’s integrity to serve not just as secretary to the cabinet but in any public office in Kenya.

Mr. Francis KImemia was also  accused of involvement in the just concluded political campaigns, actions that contravened election act which demand impartiality from civil servants.

Early this year, Mr. Kimemia was accused of breaching institutional protocol by ordering temporary stoppage of chief Justice Willy Mutunga at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport for “clearance”-an action that was construed as intimidating the judiciary.

A member of the Administration and security committee was quoted saying: “The allegations were very damning to say the least, and we are taking them seriously when we retreat to make our final report.”

The ball is now in the court of our parliament. We hope the parliament will do what is right by the people of Kenyan and in accordance with the law of the land.

Job descriptions for a cabinet secretary require man or a woman of integrity who is above reproach. Mr. Kimemia falls flat on his belly.

Duties and responsibilities for cabinet secretary in accordance with section 154 of the Constitution include: - 1) Taking charge of cabinet office. 2) Keep minutes of the cabinet meetings. 3) Convey decisions of the cabinet to the appropriate persons or authorities. 4) Perform other duties as directed by cabinet.

Considering the aforementioned reasons, we implore the parliament to reject nomination of Mr. Kimemia.

-The writer is a Kenyan residing at State College Pennsylvania USA.

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