Cheers and jeers over President Uhuru Kenyatta’s secret list

President Uhuru Kenyatta and other leaders join JKUAT students’ choir during the institution’s 20 years celebrations in Juja, Kiambu County. [Photo:Kamau Maichuhie/Standard]

There were mixed reactions following the handing over of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s secret list of top public officials to the Speakers of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and the Senate Ekwe Ethuro.

And the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly was Friday a hive of activity as MPs trooped in to find out if they were in the high-profile list of shame. It was a continuation of the Thursday night traffic where MPs sought to know if their names were on the list of shame.

Friday, four members of the Agriculture Committee came out to refute reports that they were under investigations. MPs Daniel Maanzo (Makueni), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), Silas Tiren (Moiben) and Zulekha Juma (nominated) said they had neither been summoned nor interrogated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

“We have just come from the Speaker’s Office and we are sure our names are not in that list. Please check your facts before you publish our names,” said Maanzo who led the MPs who sit in the Agriculture Committee to a news conference. The committee has been dogged with the corruption allegations.

Similarly, John Mbadi (Suba) a member of the PAC, protested bitterly.

“I am not being investigated as an individual. It is the whole PAC. I have not been mentioned adversely in any of the reports in the House,” said Mbadi.

In Eldoret, Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) accused the President of hatching a plan to bring down the Deputy President saying the list had adversely affected legislators and public officials tied to Deputy President’s office.

“We are aware that Marianne Kittany who works closely with the Deputy President; and over 30 URP affiliated leaders are listed on the ‘corrupt list’. The President must declare his intentions on URP,” he said.

Keter further defended Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei who he claimed was being targeted by cartels that had crippled the agriculture sector.

“President Kenyatta must be told the truth, he does not have the moral authority to fight corruption ...State House is at the centre of scandals, so he should begin to clear the mess in his office,” said Keter.

But the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) commended the President for taking a bold step towards fighting grand corruption.

LSK chairman Eric Mutua said the war on graft must shift to top gear and requires unity to win.

“We commend President Kenyatta for taking the bold step and public officials adversely mentioned should immediately step aside pending investigations,” Mr Mutua said.

Former vice chair of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission Tecla Namachanja also welcomed the President’s apology and plea to the House to deal with the TJRC report.

In Kakamega, Amani Coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi, East Africa legislative assembly member Gervas Akhabi and Bishop Beneah Salala applauded the President saying his speech has shown the government’s commitment to slay corruption.

But Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale challenged the President to take action and not mere rhetoric.

“The directive on corruption was not an ordinary one. It was issued within the context of a constitutional requirement for which the President is held accountable,” said Mudavadi, a former Deputy Prime Minister.

 (Reports by Alphonce Shiundu, Brigid Chemweno, Rael Jelimo, Noel Chelimo, Grace Wekesa)