County leaders welcome Wetang’ula’s exit
Former Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula who resigned on Wednesday over allegations of irregularities in the Tokyo embassy land deal. Photo/FILE
The resignation of Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula has sparked debate among leaders in Bungoma County.
Human rights activists led by the executive director of Western Kenya Human Rights Watch, Mr Job Bwonya, welcomed the resignation, saying it was a demonstration of the determination to fight corruption.
Mr Bwonya said the President and the Prime Minister should not spare anyone implicated in corruption.
He said Mr Wetang’ula was forced to resign after it became apparent that Parliament would censure him.
Luhya Council of Elders chairman Patrick Wangamti said the vacancy should be filled by someone from the province (President Kibaki has since appointed Internal Security minister George Saitori to act as minister).
Bungoma County Council chairman Julius Bakasa said the resignation was an indication of how committed the government was in the fight against corruption.
However, civic leaders and Maendeleo ya Wanawake representatives allied to Mr Wetang’ula said he was innocent.
Hounded out of office
The more than 10 civic leaders from his constituency said the committee on Defence and Foreign Relations had hounded the minister from office.
They said the minister was being unfairly targeted following his expression that he would vie for presidency in 2012.
Mr Meshack Museveni accused parliamentary committees of being used to settle political scores.
