Waiguru must step aside to allow probe

The Ministry of Devolution lost Sh791 million of tax payer’s money due to fraudulent activities involving procurement. Despite Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru coming out with the names of officers involved in the fraud, she has failed Kenyans and thus the need to step down and be investigated.

The fact that she initially came out and announced that no money was lost and later acknowledged that Sh791 million was the exact figure lost leads to only two explanations – either she may have been involved or was not in control of the ministry.

The main purpose Waiguru was installed at the helm of the powerful devolution ministry was because President Uhuru Kenyatta was confident that she could perform as she had proven herself in the previous roles under Kibaki’s regime.

There is no way any sane person can discredit Waiguru’s role in the transformation of National Youth Service. She has performed with distinction in transforming the lives of Kenyan youths and slum dwellers in major towns and cities.

Her good performance, however, does not insulate her from accountability as a public officer serving in the highest office of the most significant docket.

I fault the argument by the Government side that Waiguru is innocent. She may be innocent of not committing the fraud herself, but she is not innocent of management fault.

It is high time the President asked Waiguru to step aside, as was the case with suspended Cabinet secretaries Michael Kamau and Charity Ngilu.

Waiguru must step aside to allow for investigations.