Kosgei opens up on sackings after Kanu lost power

Former head of ivil Service Dr Sally Kosgei has spoken out for the first time how President Kibaki sacked her and 20 other top government officials from the Kalenjin community soon after Kanu lost power in 2003.

Dr Kosgei, presently the Minister for Agriculture, recounted how she was sent packing in a humiliating manner soon after the Narc Government took over, including being paid a measly send-off package.

“I was paid Sh500,000 despite working hard for the government and rising to the highest position in the civil service after holding key government positions that include serving as an ambassador for over a decade.

“I was sacked as head of civil service and secretary to the cabinet soon after the Narc government took over power when KANU lost together with 20 top civil servants from the Kalenjin community. Yet I was competent and had served the government with distinction rising through the ranks and with a clean record,” she said.

In the 2002 general election the then ruling party Kanu and its presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta lost to Narc's Mwai Kibaki. In the subsequent handover, media cameras captured Dr Kosgei breaking down in tears as a military helicopter lifted the then the President Daniel Moi from State House Nairobi. She was wearing one shoe.

Speaking over the weekend in Emgwen constituency, Dr Kosgei disapproved the newly created URP and TNA alliance.

Said Dr Kosgei “I am against these hotel talks to have URP and TNA join forces against the Prime Minister because this alliance is meant to make the two individuals gain using the two communities.”

She noted that the Kalenjin community voted for Mr. Kenyatta in 2002.

She rejected the move by Mr Ruto to play second fiddle to Mr Kenyatta, but should instead unite and rally behind Mr Odinga for the presidency.

“We voted for you in 2007 and lost but this time round we are voting for you because we want you to win. It is not just about friendship but about the community interests which we believe will be well protected under your presidency.

“Raila has demonstrated that he is a national leader with qualities to transform the country and turning the economy around,” she said during the burial of the late John Burgei Tuwei, who until his death was the chairman of the Talai Community.

Dr Kosgei asked the community to pray for Mr Ruto so that he can be declared innocent to the charges he is facing at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Industrialization Minister Henry Kosgey, a former ICC suspect, said the Kalenjin community has been fed with lies that it was Mr Odinga who hatched the plot to have Mr Ruto and other suspects taken to the Hague.

“I was in The Hague and you should ask me instead of spreading falsehoods that are calculated at painting the Prime Minister in bad light.

“I support Raila because I know he is the only leader who can unite all Kenyans. As we prepare for the elections we have to vote in someone who will bring justice to all and that person is Raila,” he said.

Speakers during the funeral asked the government to settle the displaced families of Talai clan together with those from Mau who are being resettled.

Mr. Odinga said the government would assist the Talai community to sue former colonial government so that families whose people were killed could be compensated.

Mr. Odinga assured that local community the government would give them financial support and ensure that the historical injustices the Nandi community faced during the Nandi resistance is addressed to that they get compensation.