Linturi seeks House nod on motion to impeach Waiguru
Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi at a press conference by Meru County leaders on March 18, 2014. He says the number of petitioners pushing for Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru's removal has now hit 179 insisting that the motion’s ultimate goal would be achieved. PHOTO/EMMA NZIOKA | File
What you need to know:
- He said the number of petitioners pushing for Ms Waiguru’s removal has now hit 179 insisting that the motion’s ultimate goal would be achieved
- Several MPs from Central who had also signed the petition are yet to withdraw despite campaigns to do so.
Igembe Central MP Mithiki Linturi Tuesday said MPs will seek permission from the House Business Committee to prioritise impeachment motion against Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.
He said the number of petitioners pushing for Ms Waiguru’s removal has now hit 179 insisting that the motion’s ultimate goal would be achieved despite external pressure exerted on him to abandon the motion.
Mr Linturi spoke even as the Union of Kenya Civil Servants came to Ms Waiguru’s defence arguing that he was an innocent victim of a political crossfire.
“We have so far only lost one petitioner. We are going to plead with the HBC to prioritise this matter because it has the potential of breaking the coalition due to the manner in which the Cabinet Secretary is conducting herself,” the MP said.
Parliament is expected to convene on Tuesday after a month-long recess. Several MPs from Central who had also signed the petition are yet to withdraw despite campaigns to do so.
The Jubilee coalition has planned a parliamentary group meeting on Monday where the Waiguru motion is expected to be discussed and a common position taken.
And the UKCS Secretary General Mr Tom Odege said they have studied the issues leading to the proposed impeachment proceedings against the minister and found them baseless.
Mr Odege said the union has found that the transfer of Mr Kiplimo Rugut from the National Youth Service to another government department was reasonably executed and that his replacement with Dr Nelson Githinji is not entirely unacceptable.
“The Cabinet Secretary is being vilified for having transferred the services of Mr Rugut from the National Youth Service to another office. This is unfair because she did not sack the officer but only transferred him, “ Mr Odege stated.
Mr Odege said some politicians out to discredit public servants have been criticising normal transfers of public servants.
“I wish to draw the attention of the public on the recent transfer of one Mr Richard Langat from the office of the Registrar of Trade Unions to Nyayo house,” he stated.
He further added: “This was also driven out of proportion by politicians who were baying for the blood of the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Labour, Hon Kazungu Kambi,”Mr Odege said.
He called on politicians to refrain from any further attacks on Ms Waiguru adding that public servants should be allowed the freedom to serve Kenyans without unnecessary hindrances.
Mr Rugut’s removal has kicked out a major political storm in the Rift Valley with local leaders’ insisting on a proper explanation after Deputy President William Ruto offered to take blame for Ms Waiguru’s action.
