Five PSs interdicted over scams

Five permanent secretaries asked to step aside over the maize and free education cash scandals two weeks ago have been interdicted.

They have been instructed to surrender their official government vehicles although they will retain their security and be paid half their monthly salaries.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua on Sunday said permanent secretaries Karega Mutahi (Education), Mohammed Ali Dawood (Special Programmes), Romano Kiome (Agriculture), Mohammed Isahakiah (Prime Minister’s office) and Mr Caroli Mondi, the principal administrative secretary in the PM’s office, had been interdicted.

Dr Mutua said asking an official to leave office temporarily was not unusual.

“They are still civil servants and hold the same positions but they are on half salaries minus allowances,” he said.

However, a source said that a presidential decree could not be used in normal disciplinary procedures in the civil service.

Acting permanent secretaries who signed the interdiction letters were authorised to do so by the Head of Public Service, Mr Francis Muthaura.

President Kibaki last week appointed four senior civil servants as acting PSs.

Ms Magdalene Wambua took over at the Education ministry, Mr Andrew Mondoh in the PM’s office, Mr Moses Gitari at the Special Programmes ministry and Mr Kiritu Wamae at the Agriculture ministry.

On February 13, President Kibaki announced that he had suspended eight officials, also for three months, after they were “mentioned adversely” in reports on the subsidised maize scheme and free primary school education programme.

A statement from the President’s office said: “President Kibaki once again reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and assured of speedy and conclusive investigations on the use of public resources.”

A new managing director took over at the National Cereals and Produce Board as all the 22 top management positions at the parastatal were declared vacant.

Mr Alfred Osolo Tabu last week replaced Prof Gideon Misoi as cereals board managing director. Prof Misoi was implicated in the maize scandal.
Mr Tabu worked at the Kenya Seed Company before his current appointment.

Also sent packing were NCPB sales and marketing manager James Cheruiyot Boit and general manager Robert Langat.

President Kibaki said concerns over rampant corruption had been top of the national debate for many years now.

“We have put in place institutions and enacted laws that are aimed at eradicating corruption in our country. Corruption undermines government policies and distorts the allocation of the country’s public resources,” he said.