Matemu, deputy fight bid to kick them out

What you need to know:

  • In turn, the two were promised ambassadorial positions as a safe landing from the commission, which now has the onerous task of investigating 175 public officers over corruption allegations.
  • Mr Mohammed argued that sideshows should not be allowed to cloud the vision guiding the President in his determination to “slay the dragon” of corruption.
  • Ms Keino and Mr Matemu declared they would not resign, and linked it to five major cases of corruption the commission is investigating.

Intrigues at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission took a new twist, with a revelation that powerful forces around the presidency want Chairman Mumo Matemu and his deputy, Ms Irene Keino to resign.

Ms Keino on Wednesday revealed how she and former EACC Commissioner Jane Onsongo were summoned to a meeting by Solicitor-General Njee Muturi, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s advisor on constitutional matters Abdikadir Mohammed and the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, Mr Samuel Chepkong’a and asked to quit.

In turn, the two were promised ambassadorial positions as a safe landing from the commission, which now has the onerous task of investigating 175 public officers over corruption allegations.

“Soon after, on 31st of March 2015, I received a call at around 11.30 am for a meeting. I asked about the agenda of the meeting and was told that Prof Onsongo had agreed to resign. I was also requested to resign and be given a new job as deputy ambassador to Brazil, which I flatly declined,” Ms Keino told a press conference at Integrity Centre, flanked by Mr Matemu and EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo.

The Nation learnt that Prof Onsongo was also promised a job as Kenya’s deputy ambassador to the USA, based in Washington DC.

Prof Onsongo initially declined the offer but later changed her mind and announced her resignation late Wednesday.

Mr Matemu, was, however, not invited to the meeting. Sources close to Ms Keino said it was not the first time she had been asked to resign.

Contacted, Mr Mohammed refused to confirm or deny attending the meeting, but dismissed the claims by Ms Keino, declaring that he did not wish to be drawn into EACC’s internal politics.

He said it was not his business to ask the commissioners to resign from their positions, dismissing the issue as part of EACC’s internal politics.

But he said he still stood by his earlier assertions that the EACC commissioners lacked the drive to fight corruption.

“I said at the time that they lacked the passion to fight corruption and my position has not changed,” he said.

Mr Mohammed argued that sideshows should not be allowed to cloud the vision guiding the President in his determination to “slay the dragon” of corruption.

“A line has been drawn and the effort to fight corruption will be widespread. This is not just about individuals, because the President has had meetings with all agencies involved and decided to take the next step,” he said

Ms Keino and Mr Matemu declared they would not resign, and linked it to five major cases of corruption the commission is investigating.

“I wish to state that there is a brazen attempt to force my resignation and disbandment of the commission by a clique, which is a clear subversion of the Constitution,” she stated.

She singled out investigations into the Anglo Leasing scandal, the Karen land saga, the Geothermal Development Corporation case, alleged fraud at Mumias Sugar Company and the matter relating to Integrity Centre and its relationship with the Deposit Protection Fund Board, as being behind the commission’s tribulations.

Said Mr Matemu: “For me, when people ask why you don’t consider resigning, I tell them we will continue discharging our business. It is not for an outsider to come coaxing people to resign.”