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Kenya

Civil Society happy with Ringera

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 30 – A section of civil society activists welcomed the resignation of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) director Aaron Ringera and his deputy and termed it a clear indication that “power belongs to the people.”

Some of the activists had even obtained a permit to hold demonstrations in Nairobi on Thursday incase he failed to resign as anticipated.

Civil activist Okiya Omtatah of the Kenya for Justice and Peace (KEJUDE) who notified the police of their intention to stage protests told Capital News that Ringera’s move has “restored confidence in the people.”

“Personally, I am very happy because now the people will have confidence in themselves and the government. It now shows that they hold the key to power,” Mr Omtatah said.

The vocal activist whose case challenging Justice Ringera’s reappointment is still pending in court said Ringera had demonstrated to the people that “it is they who have a say in the country’s leadership.”

“The people’s voice is more powerful than any other, even the President. This is a democratic country where the law should be respected at all times,’ he added.

Mr Omtatah said Justice Ringera’s continued stay in office had caused anguish and anger amongst the public “because his reappointment was illegal.”

“It is the best thing he did to resign,” he added.

Tom Aosa of the Community-based organisations termed Ringera’s move is the “biggest achievement to Kenyans.”

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“We have been calling for his resignation, now that he has resigned, as the civil society we are very happy and will continue pressing for more reforms in the country,” he said.

He said “Ringera has listened to the voice of the people and demonstrated to Kenyans that President Kibaki’s action to reappoint him was unconstitutional.”

But even as the civil activists welcomed the resignation of Ringera and his deputy Fatuma Sichale, the former Anti-Corruption chief maintained he only took the action because of public pressure.

“It is not that the appointment was illegal, I still maintain that our re-appointment was legal,” Justice Ringera said when he announced his resignation and that of his deputy.

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