Governors dismiss call to quit, says Uhuru statement not linked to corruption fight

The Council of Governors on Friday dismissed calls to step aside, saying President Uhuru Kenyatta only made a political statement that had nothing to do with fighting corruption.

The governors challenged Deputy President William Ruto to vacate office following his ongoing International Criminal Court case in The Hague.

Led by the council chairman Isaac Ruto, they said President Kenyatta has no authority to order elected leaders to leave office.

The governors said the President could have taken the bold move to sack Cabinet and principal secretaries, who are directly appointed by him, to demonstrate that indeed he was committed to fighting corruption within his government.

“Government officials can be fired or the President can give an executive order. Vacation of office by the governors is governed by the Constitution,” Mr Ruto said during a press conference in Nairobi.

Other governors who accompanied him included Meru Governor Peter Munya and his Turkana counterpart, Josephat Nanok.

Mr Munya, who is said to be on the list that President Kenyatta submitted to Parliament, said top government officials mentioned in criminal cases should lead the way in stepping aside.

“Some of them are facing serious criminal charges in a global court. Why are they not stepping aside,” Mr Munya said, seemingly in reference to the deputy president, who is facing crimes against humanity at the ICC.