STATEMENT BY PRESIDENCY SPOKESPERSON MANOAH ESIPISU DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE ON CORRUPTION 28th MARCH, 2015
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last Thursday, His Excellency the President addressed Parliament. In that address he spoke strongly against corruption, which he acknowledged as one of the biggest obstacles to our shared vision of security, growth and prosperity.
His Excellency the President recalled that every constitutional office holder, state officer and public servant is bound by the values enshrined in our constitution. These officers are required to uphold the highest standards of personal integrity in the discharge of their official functions. The President asked officers named in the Confidential Report prepared by the Ethics and Anti - Corruption Commission to step aside to allow the Commission to carry out and complete its investigations.
You will also recall that the President said that no one would stand between Kenyans and what is right in the fight against corruption.
Further to that statement, the following Cabinet Secretaries have now informed the President that they have complied with his directive. The President has consequently appointed acting Cabinet Secretaries in their place as follows:
Mr. Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Development. The President has instructed Mr. Adan Mohamed to act in his place.
Eng. Michael Kamau, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport. The President has instructed Mr. James Macharia to act in his place.
Mr. Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum. The President has instructed Mr. Henry Rotich to act in his place.
Mr. Samuel Kazungu Kambi, Cabinet Secretary for Labour. The President has instructed Ambassador Rachel Omamo to act in his place.
The following Senior Officers and Principal Secretaries have also informed the President that they have complied with his directive:
Mr. Francis Kimemia, Secretary to the Cabinet.
Mr. Mutea Iringo, Principal Secretary for Defence.
Mr. Nduva Muli, Principal Secretary State Department of Transport.
Mr. Patrick Omutia, Principal Secretary for Mining.
Mr. James Teko, Principal Secretary State Department of Water.
Ms. Marianne Kittany, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Deputy President.
Ms. Esther Koimet, the Investment Secretary, National Treasury.
Ambassador Jane Waikenda, Deputy Head of Mission, Kenya Embassy South Africa.
In regard to State Corporations, the respective State Corporation Boards have been instructed to urgently convene Special Board Meetings, to appoint acting Officers for all named Chief Executives and other officers.
The following Officers of State corporations are affected:
Mr. Patrick Osero, Chairman Agricultural Finance Corporation
Dr. Silas Simiyu, Managing Director, Geothermal Development Company
Mr. Francis Oyatsi, Managing Director Nzoia Sugar Company
Mr. Richard Langat, Managing Trustee NSSF
Mr. Evans Ngibuini, Acting Chief Executive, National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation
Mr. Alex Kabuga, Chief Executive, Kentrade
Ms. Lucy Mbugua, Managing Director, Kenya Airports Authority
Mr. Charles Tonui, Managing Director, Kenya Pipeline Corporation
Mr. Allan Chenane, Chief Executive, Tourism Fund/Catering Levy Trustee
As the President told Parliament, it is not his place to determine the guilt or otherwise of the State or Public Officers named in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Report but that the time has come to send a strong signal to the country.
Clearly the President has drawn the line on corruption and expects all State and Public Officers to abide by Executive Order No.6 in which he gives express directives in regard to the intolerance for this vice in government.
The President reminds Kenyans, that this is a moral fight for the very soul of our nation and that nobody should use it as an opportunity to either engage in negative politics or act in manner likely to detract us from this noble cause.
The President reaffirms that there are no sacred cows and that this is just the beginning of an unwavering war against corruption.
Manoah Esipisu,
Spokesperson for the President.
Hutia Mundu!!