MP calls for Balala’s sacking over graft

By Willis Oketch

An MP has called for the sacking of Tourism Minister Najib Balala for alleged abuse of office and corruption in his ministry.

Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo said Balala should be held accountable for graft claims in his ministry.

The MP asked President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to fire the minister and call for investigation into the embezzlement of

public funds in the ministry.

Kiema was referring to the arrest of PS in Tourism, Rebecca Nabutola, and former Director of Kenya Tourism Board, Ong’ong’a Achieng’ over

alleged misappropriation of funds.

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) arrested the two on Thursday for questioning.

They were later released on bond.

"Balala should take political responsibility

of what happened in his ministry and step aside for investigation or be fired," Kilonzo said.

Addressing a press conference at Whitesands Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Kiema told KACC Director Aaron

Ringera to arrest Balala and charge him with abuse of office.

Nabutola was charged over alleged misuse of Sh8 million when President Kibaki visited the Maasai

Mara for a promotional tour.

Ringera defended his decision to charge the two since ‘there was evidence linking them to the misappropriation’.