Former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru blames graft cartel for her downfall

Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru (left) and the Gichugu MP Njogu Barua (right), doing a jig at Kiamugumo Girls High school in Kirinyaga County during the institution's prize giving day on Saturday. [PHOTO:MUNENE KAMAU/STANDARD] DATE; JULY 16, 2016

Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru has blamed a powerful cartel for her downfall.

Speaking at Kiamugumo Girls High school, Ms Waiguru said her tribulations did not come as a surprise as she had refused to be part of the corruption cartel and chose to live a life of integrity.

Quoting the Bible frequently in her speech, the former Cabinet secretary said like the Biblical Daniel, who was thrown into a lion's den but God delivered him, so had God delivered her from her persecutors.

"I have been to the mountain top, I have been to a very deep valley where there has been good times and very tough times. What have I not gone through?" she asked.

She told teachers and parents a few things had happened since she was last at the school, especially on the international scene. She gave examples of Poland and Namibia which had elected women prime ministers, and Croatia and Taiwan which elected women presidents.

"The just ended week we got news that the United Kingdom has a woman Prime Minister (Theresa May) while the United State of America is likely to elect its first female president (Hillary Clinton) in a few months' time. Isn't that something?" she asked.

She said despite the acrimonious exit from Government, she was proud to have been part of the team that broke the ground for many areas including devolution and youth empowerment under the Jubilee administration.

school environment

When asked to declare if she was indeed joining politics, Waiguru said she would make her decision known outside a school environment.

Asked to comment on whether Waiguru was justified to join politics, Gichugu MP Njogu Barua said elective positions were not a preserve of any gender or individual.

"I'm encouraging my sister Anne not to hesitate since time is ripe for her to seek any elective political position come the 2017 General Election," he said.

Waiguru said she is now stronger from the nasty experience she went through and is looking forward to rising to even greater things.

Waiguru resigned as Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary in November last year on medical grounds.

In a statement, Waiguru said her doctor had advised her to take lighter duties, and she requested the President to assign her "such lighter duties as he shall deem fit".

Waiguru resigned in the heat of public outcry calling for her exit from office following a series of graft allegations in her ministry.

The Opposition had called for her resignation to give way to investigations over the loss of Sh791 million from the National Youth Service.