Disquiet in Jubilee over CS Anne Waiguru’s decision to remove Kiplimo Rugut from NYS

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

By GEOFFREY MOSOKU and FAITH RONOH

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Jubilee Government is facing a backlash from a section of MPs allied to it following the removal of Kiplimo Rugut as director General of National Youth Service.

The MPs, mainly from the Rift Valley are irked with the manner in which the career civil servant was replaced by former state house comptroller Dr Nelson Githinji.

The MPs are now demanding the reinstatement of Rugut, claiming that Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru unprocedurally made the appointments.

Sources says that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have moved to quell the discontentment, had also dominated Kalenjin vernacular radio stations with callers claiming that Rugutu was removed since cannot be compromised b by corruption cartels.

A section of URP MPs led by leader of majority in the national assembly Aden Duale have also raised the matter with Uhuru and Ruto with both promising to ‘look into the matter’  even as a section of URP leaders plan a spate of rallies in North Rift to castigate the development.

Tuesday Rift Valley MPs led by outspoken Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and his colleagues William Cheptumo (Baringo North), Julius Melly (Tinderet) and Elisha Busienei (Turbo), Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria) insisted that the removal was prompted by the urge by a section of leaders to engage in corrupt dealings.

The legislators either said that the appointment of Dr Githinji was illegal since NYS is a disciplined service that has to be headed by someone with a security training background and not a civilian.

But the MPs turned their guns to President Uhuru and his deputy Ruto instead of the CS saying Ms Waiguru was only effecting orders from her bosses.

State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu however sought to downplay controversy saying that the appointment of Dr Githinji and removal of Rugut was well within the mandate of CS Waiguru and head of civil service.

Cheptumo added; “Rugut is a diligent officer who has served Kenyans but the manner in which he has been removed raises serious questions.  The same CS Waiguru recently removed the director of administration Ambassador Chepsongol who comes from my constituency in similar circumstances and this must stop.”

Addressing a press conference at parliament buildings last evening, Keter sensationally claimed that Rugut was informed of his removal through a text message to his phone on Saturday.

“We know that the sacking of Rugut was initiated by those who want to steal billions of money brought in by the Chinese government. They knew that Rugut could not be compromised therefore the best option was to send him packing,”Keter said.

The outspoken MP said the DP should come out and reveal if anyone was paid or compromised to agree to the 50-50 coalition deal. “We thought the DP was being shortchanged by TNA but with the turn of events and especially the fact that he has remained silent even after the sacking of Rugut, it is clear that somebody was compromised. This coalition deal is no longer 50:50,”he argued.

Keter said URP members will be willing to raise money to pay back whatever was made as “a bribe” to instigate the coalition deal.

“We need to get the exact amount that was used to bribe whoever was bribed. I am sure we can mobilise members to raise the amount so that we have a clean deal.”

Ruto ally and Keiyo south MP Jackson Kiptanui however defended Uhuru and Ruto saying; “The DP hasn’t been shortchanged. The president and his deputy have a prerogative to hire and fire. The cabinet secretaries, PSs, MDs, chairs of boards and directors serve at the will of the principals and their services may be terminated anytime.”

Tinderet MP Julius Melly similarly expressed displeasure saying the long serving career administrator was hard working and honest wondering why he had been moved from NYS where he had served barely for a year.

“I am displeased such a hardworking government officer can be shoved from office just like that. I dint like it,” said Melly

Melly who is also the vice chair of the parliamentary committee on Education said Rugut has a good track record as a performing public servant and should not be frustrated.

“I want to find out the reasons why Mr Rugut has been moved from NYS. Leaders who perform in their respective offices need to be appreciated for their good work,” Melly told The Standard Tuesday.

Elisha Busienei (Turbo) revealed that legislators from the Rift Valley region had agreed to convene an urgent meeting to discuss dismissal of Rugut and chart way forward.

“All I can say is that we are convening an urgent meeting as Rift Valley MPs to discuss these issues,” Busienei said.