Kaparo to resign as Nema boss

Former House Speaker Francis ole Kaparo will resign soon from his position at the national environmental watchdog to concentrate on politics.

Mr Kaparo’s position as chairman of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and the United Republican Party has stalled the party’s registration because the law states that a public officer cannot hold political office.

“We respect the law and we will ensure that our party adheres to the rules as required, we will use the window period of 30 days that we still have to ensure that the names of the officials are in order,” Dujis MP Adan Duale said on Thursday.

He said they had decided to retain the names of the party officials presented to the Registrar of Political Parties after MPs resolved their differences over them.

The decision to present Mr Kaparo’s name as chairman had put MPs Charles Keter and Isaac Rutto on a collision course.

In an interview with Nation, Mr Kaparo said he would write to the president to express his intention to resign though he did not state when.

“It is true that I am resigning and will be delivering my letter to the president soon. But you should be fair and also ask ministers who are holding party positions when they are going to resign,” Mr Kaparo said on phone.

Article 12(1) of the Political Parties Act says a public officer is not eligible to be a founding member of a political party, hold office or engage in activities that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of that person’s office.

In a press conference at Parliament Buildings the Dujis MP said the party, linked to Eldoret North MP William Ruto, was united.

“URP is a mass movement and where there is a large population, issues will arise but we are united, you can see all of us are here and smiling, There is unity in the party,” said Mr Duale.