NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 1 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed criticism levelled against President Mwai Kibaki’s move to re-appoint Justice Aaron Ringera as Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).
Mr Musyoka maintains that the President acted within the Constitution and asked those opposed to the move to reconsider their stand.
“The President has the right to appoint such officers according to the Constitution and I wonder why some people are criticising the move,” said the VP.
He was speaking after opening a high-level HIV/Aids summit with African Anglican Archbishops, where he noted that there was need to give KACC powers to prosecute corruption suspects.
In a gazette notice, President Kibaki re-appointed Justice Ringera for five years with effect from September 8. Also re-appointed were his two deputies, Fatuma Sichale and Smokin Wanjala.
The move has however elicited criticism that the Head of State broke the same law he quoted as giving him the reappointment powers.
But Mr Musyoka said there was no need for some people to dwell much on the negatives but instead urged them to support efforts aimed at giving Kenyans a new constitution.
“Mr Ringera is a scholar who is committed to duty. There is no need for some people to oppose his reappointment. What we need to do is to fight for KACC to have powers to prosecute corruption suspects,’’ he said.
“There are many things that leaders have to fight for, including reforms and a new constitution instead of criticising appointments made by the President.”
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