From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013
While the Anti-corruption Court in Uganda orders the arrest of the Health Ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, for charges related to theft of more than Shs1 billion for a Global Fund project, in Kenya a parliamentary committee disregards a letter from the anti-corruption commission, advising against Mr Francis Kimemia’s clearance for Secretary to the Cabinet post.
In Kenya there are other animals greater than the others that is why when the greater animals are implicated with corruption and human rights abuses those responsible are not only seldom punished, but also given high posts to acknowledge and thank them for their heroism in the abuse.
That is why widespread impunity at all levels of government will continue to be a serious problem, despite implementation of judicial reform and the vetting of all judges and magistrates.
That is also why, even though the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, mandated in 2008 to investigate alleged torture of Kenyans since independence has been presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta Kenyans should not rejoice as yet since the report touches the greater animals in Uhuru’s government.
Even though the judiciary asserted and maintained its independence, attempts by the executive branch to influence the outcome of judicial decisions, the judiciary cannot do much since their hands are tied.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had written to the committee on Administration and National Security that vetted Mr Kimemia, raising issues touching on his integrity with regard to two corruption cases.
EACC had accused Mr Kimemia of blocking the suspension of a former Kenya Airports Authority managing director and the Foreign Affairs PS over the Sh56 billion Greenfield Terminal Project at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the purchase of the Tokyo Embassy property, respectively.
Because the majority in the House committee, investigations into the two matters comprises of the greater animals camp, is why they have disregarded the letter, arguing that the investigations were still at a preliminary stage and it was therefore difficult to draw conclusions on Mr Kimemia’s integrity.
In a report tabled before Parliament yesterday afternoon, the committee says the commission’s letter linking Mr Kimemia to ‘mega corruption’ was based on suspicion.
The report adds that the commission had no objection to Mr Kimemia being appointed as the Secretary to the Cabinet.
In their report, the 29-member committee chaired by Mr Asman Kamama (Tiati MP) says Mr Kimemia has the necessary qualifications and has vast experience in the public service which qualifies him for the position.
It says the nominee has risen through the ranks progressively, from a DO to his current position as Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet. “Mr Kimemia has never been implicated in any scandal,” the report says in the findings that will be debated by Parliament
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
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Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002