Why Ringera will enjoy a smooth ride for the next ten years

Former anti-corruption Czar Aaron Ringera may have been ousted from office under pressure but that did not strip him of hefty benefits, the Nation can reveal.

The Government is bound by an exit contract he signed, ensuring he continues to enjoy the perks that include chauffeur-driven limousines and bodyguards for the next 10 years.

The contract

The contract was signed between him and the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Advisory Board.

The legal document, which the Nation was reliably told cannot be revised without occasioning a breach of contract, entitles Mr Justice Ringera to continue using the vehicle he used as KACC director.

Also at his service are a driver, a bodyguard and a security officer at his home.

Maintenance of the vehicles, including fuelling, is also done using tax payer’s money. Work tickets in our possession, show three GK vehicles — two Mercedes Benz and a Prado — having been used by Mr Ringera.

The documents bear KACC’s official rubber stamp with Mr Ringera signing for each journey as the authorising officer.

The work tickets are dated from November 1, while Mr Ringera resigned from office on September 30. The latest journey took place last Friday.

The latest records show Mr Ringera used the Prado to make trips between Nkoroi and Meru towns.

A government official well versed with the contract, said it was signed by the previous KACC Advisory board chaired by Mr Allan Ngugi and does not provide for revision by the current one headed by Law Society of Kenya chairman Okong’o Omogeni.

Contacted, the Commission public relations officer Nicholas Simani said: “Information regarding the exit package of the former director can only be obtained from the chairman of the advisory board.”

Mr Omogeni could not be reached on phone.

Mr Justice Ringera resigned after days of relentless pressure from the body’s advisory board, civil society, politicians and Kenyans.

In parliament, MPs had voted against his re-appointment, saying President Kibaki had not followed the law.

He resigned alongside his deputy Fatuma Sichale, with Dr Smokin Wanjala, the other assistant director, having bowed to pressure earlier.

The commission is now headed by Dr John Mutonyi as the acting director. Lawyer Patrick Lumumba has since been nominated by the board to take the top seat, if approved by Parliament.