Why we are stepping aside

Cabinet secretaries Michael Kamau, Felix Koskei and Davis Chirchir on Saturday stepped aside to make way for investigations of corruption allegations against them.

First out was Mr Koskei who said he has lined up a number of lawyers and that on Monday he will voluntarily visit the EACC offices to seek information about the allegations.

“I have never seen a letter from the EACC. They have never even called me to record a statement or to make an inquiry about any allegations against me. In fact they have never sent me even a Whatsapp message,” he said.

The minister said he would try to find out what information the EACC had against him that prompted his being included in the so-called List of Shame tabled by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Parliament last Thursday.

“And moving forward, we will be going to the offices of the EACC on Monday first to know the allegations against me and the accusers, and secondly to record my statement immediately to facilitate expeditious investigations,” the CS said.

He reiterated his fidelity to the law and said that the mention of his name in the list came as a shock.

He said: “It is impossible for me to be a true and faithful counsellor to the President for the good management of public affairs and knowing fully well that I am innocent of any impropriety on my part.”

His was with his daughter Miriam Koskei.

Mr Kamau, who was accompanied by his PS Nduva Muli at Transcom House, said he was not aware of the nature of the corruption allegations he was facing but added his ministry was being investigated for “many issues”.  Mr Muli has also stepped aside in the same breath.

“I was informed that my name was in the list and I want to step down to allow investigations which I will not interfere with,” he added. “I will wait for the report to be tabled so that I can know what I am being accused of.”

He said that in his 34 years of public service, he had carried out his duties with dedication and accountability and was optimistic that he would be cleared.

Mr Muli on his part said he had taken the step after also learning that he had been mentioned in the report and pledged to work with investigators.

At Nyayo House, Mr Chirchir, stepped aside over the chicken gate scandal, which occurred when he was a commissioner of the now defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).

“Having been mentioned in relation to my tenure as a commissioner in the IIEC, I have today stepped aside as investigations on the allegations continue,” he said.

“Accountability and integrity is of paramount importance in public office, particularly the office such as the one I have been appointed to, and hold for the citizens of Kenya,” he said.

Report By Samuel Karanja, John Njagi and Isaac Ongiri