NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 6 – Twenty six Members of Parliament on Saturday petitioned all Cabinet Ministers under active investigation by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) to resign.
The legislators who included Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim as well as assistant ministers Mwangi Kiunjuri, Ndiritu Murithi and Kabando wa Kabando have also urged President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to drop the ministers should they hang on to power.
“All Ministers with active investigations by KACC must resign to allow proper, speedy and unimpeded investigations. We call upon the principals to drop any minister who does not volunteer to step aside,” the statement read.
The MPs said the war on graft was cross cutting and not targeted at any particular political party or individual. They also said the probes should not be politicised to allow for transparency, accountability and proper utilisation of public funds.
Mr Kiunjuri who is now the Public Works Assistant Minister has accused Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu of corruption and favouritism in her Ministry, an allegation that has taken centre stage with Ms Ngilu asking President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga to defend her.
Recently, the Prime Minister said he would defend Mrs Ngilu who is alleged to have misappropriated public money in her Ministry.
His sentiments did not go down well with some politicians who accused him of harbouring graft.
The two Principals have intensified their stand against corruption in recent weeks.
KACC Director Patrick Lumumba last month announced that four Cabinet ministers and about 45 senior heads of parastatals were being investigated.
Already, former Higher Education Minister William Ruto and Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi have stepped aside following corruption allegations.
Nairobi Mayor Geophrey Majiwa also vacated office after he was charged over the Sh283 million cemetery scandal.
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