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Ministers in war of words over calls to sack Ongeri

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Published on Sunday, 07 February 2010 19:55

The call by Prime Minister Raila Odinga on President Kibaki to sack Education Minister Sam Ongeri and Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi over the alleged loss of Free Primary Education funds has taken a new turn.

Accusations and counter-accusations are flying between Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and their Party of National Unity (PNU) colleagues over the manner the PM spoke, and the consequence of his petition.

While ODM-allied ministers and leaders support Raila, those in PNU support Ongeri’s view that the PM is engaged in populist and vindictive politics. They supported Ongeri’s assertion that the PM’s call was part of "an evil political scheme" hatched last year to wreck his political career.

"I refuse to be victimised and cowed by such Machiavellian political antics," said Ongeri, on Friday.

Nonetheless, Raila reiterated that his call on Ongeri and Karega to step aside to allow independent investigations was in good faith and was motivated by a strong belief that it is impossible for the top education officials to remain in office as the Government investigates the issue.

living example

"Stepping aside and allowing investigations to go on and then getting reinstated if found to be clean would make Ongeri a living example of integrity in our politics and take away the burden of suspicion hanging over him and the ministry," said Raila.

In a statement sent to The Standard on Sunday by the PM’s Director of Communications Dennis Onyango, Raila said by stepping aside the two would be doing what was good for the country and in accordance with proper and accepted best practices.

But politicians allied to PNU accused Raila of targeting its members in the fight against corruption.

The leaders said there should be a mechanism for investigating corruption before any suspect is asked to resign.

Speaking during the burial of the five people who died in a quarry in Murang’a, Enviroment Minister John Michuki said the Government has institutions capable of investigating and prosecuting those implicated in corruption.

"The Government institutions such as Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission will investigate the claims," said Michuki. "We have a capable police force, which can work with KACC."

The leaders, who included Mathioya MP, Clement Wambugu, and his Kiharu counterpart Muturi Mwangi rubbished calls by the Prime Minister to sack Ongeri and Karega as immature. "No one should step aside before investigations are done," said Wambugu.

These views were echoed by MPs Wilfred Machage, Wilfred Ombui, Isaac Ruto and Walter Nyambati who said the PM should provide figures and evidence implicating the officials.

"How can the PM direct the President at a public function on what action to take on a minister?" posed Assistant Minister Wilfred Machage, who is also the Kuria MP. Machage, a former Cabinet minister, said a Cabinet meeting should have been the best place for the PM to take on the minister.

"The PM has all the machinery in his office to determine who did what in the saga and expose any official implicated in graft. Petitioning the President to sack Ongeri in an open forum is merely politicking without adducing evidence against the minister," said Ombui, the North Mugirango MP.

Nyambati (Kitutu-Masaba) wondered why the PM did not see it fit to summon Ongeri for an explanation.

"Attacking a Government minister in the open amounts to character assassination. It is wrong for the PM to attack Ongeri, a politician and a career civil servant at a forum he would not have been able to defend himself," said Ruto.

Co-operative development Assistant Minister Jebii Kilimo was also opposed to Raila’s call.

Kilimo said although she does not condone corruption, there is need for introspection before apportioning blame.

"Corruption is two-way traffic. We should first change from within before condemning others. Even those who call for action should check themselves," she said.

But others supported Raila’s calls. Gender Minister Esther Murugi and Sports Minister Hellen Sambili called for investigation into the missing funds at the Ministry of Education.

They said immediate action should be taken to salvage the future of the children.

"We want zero tolerance to corruption and let everyone at the ministry be investigated," said the Gender Minister.

Sambili said corruption is a cancer that must be tackled.

The two ministers were speaking as they marked the International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation at Losuento Primary School in Kilgoris.

Water Minister Charity Ngilu urged Kibaki to take action on individuals implicated in diverting funds meant for the Free Primary Education programme.

Ngilu said Kibaki has an opportunity to prove that he was committed to fighting corruption by taking action on the FPE mess.

"We have seen key players in other scandals during Kibaki’s tenure getting off the hook. Time for him to make a mark as his term ends is now," said Ngilu.

Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara also urged President Kibaki to sack Ongeri and Karega, adding the scandal was a blot on the success of the FPE programme. "The buck stops at Kibaki’s office," said Imanyara.

Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella said Kenya is tired of corruption and urged President Kibaki to take immediate action. "The buck stops with the President. If he cannot then who will? asked the MP

The Kenya National Union of Teachers also welcomed Raila’s call for the two to step aside, terming it as long overdue.

"We will not allow this show of arrogance, the Prime Minister should just sack them," said Knut first national vice-chairman Wilson Sossion.

The Parliamentary Education Committee chairman David Koech said his team has summoned Ongeri to appear before it on Thursday to shed light on the saga.

Public Accounts Committee chairman and Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said the buck stops at Kibaki’s office, adding he should sack the two.

Dr Khalwale said Ongeri and Karega were the top officers at the ministry and should be held responsible for any mess.

"They cannot claim that they did not know what was happening and should step aside for investigations to take place," said Khalwale.

Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki said loss of the funds should be probed extensively. "The programme has been funded by donors and taxes paid by the people of Kenya and those implicated should face the music," said Kaloki.

The US Government has withdrawn funds amounting to Sh350 million meant for capacity building under the FPE until those implicated in the scandal are prosecuted.

The United Kingdom has also withheld FPE funds totalling Sh1.2 billion due to the alleged fraud.