Kenya is a country where every day is an intrigue.
When the calls for Devolution CS Anne Waiguru were made that she resigns, there has been a lot going in the blogosphere and on social media that cannot go without mention.
For starters, many people-especially women leaders- feel that the CS is being targeted unfairly for her ‘exemplary’ performance in her docket. Then there are those who feel that women are getting a raw deal when it comes to leveling the playing ground for public office holders.
It all started with allegations that hundreds of millions had been embezzled at the National Youth Service (NYS) and the most culpable was Waiguru because she was in charge.
In response at a press conference in her office on June 19, 2015, the CS said that attempts by fraudsters to steal Sh826 million from the National Youth Service (NYS) were thwarted and no money was lost.
“Those who have been stopped from benefiting from cartels that have long controlled the NYS are now fighting back, and are trying to indicate that there is a problem in the new management. The fact is that I have waged an onslaught against corruption and ineptitude and this is causing a lot of discomfort,” she said.
Waiguru added that she wrote the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) asking them to investigate any suspicious transactions at the NYS adding that cartels seeking to sabotage NYS operations had failed.
The allegations and her rejoinder saw a spat begin with the opposition Cord calling for her immediate resignation to pave way for investigations. Waiguru has stayed put.
This has spawned a war of words which have metastasized and pitting Kenyans on both sides of the divide against each other.
With the much hyped Cord rally at Uhuru which was meant to support teachers in their strike, Johnstone Muthama set the debate rolling and social media was ablaze due to remarks he made at the rally. Many were not particularly pleased.
Some of those who chose to defend Waiguru were none other than Digital Strategist at State House Dennis Itumbi.
I do not pay too much attention to the venom spewed by Muthama, but #IStandWithWaiguru because beyond being a CS she is a parent
— Dennis Itumbi (@OleItumbi) September 25, 2015
Minutes later, Itumbi caught some flak for his stand from journalist Larry Madowo who questioned why exactly he was supporting the CS.
Court case number for @AnneWaiguru case? You stated it confidently, backing it up should be easy #IStandWithWaiguru pic.twitter.com/ZwR571sWnn
— Dennis Itumbi (@OleItumbi) September 25, 2015
Others sought to compare Waiguru and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with some interesting parallels.
#IStandWithWaiguru jst compare #kot pic.twitter.com/BYsdSZw7ya
— Macharia Wathiai (@machariawathiai) September 25, 2015
And the debate on Waiguru’s culpability continued, some said they had seen the change which was being initiated by the CS.
From HUDUMA CENETR, NYS, WEEDING OUT GHOST WORKERS #IStandWithWaiguru what achievemnts does @RailaOdinga have? show me
— #KOT (@KOTNewsAt9) September 25, 2015
#IStandWithWaiguru because atleast, I can see her work at Huduma Center, NYS and so on. Where are the achievements of the other CSs?
— #KOT (@KOTNewsAt9) September 25, 2015
And then, #WaiguruLiveCensure was born. Those against the CS felt that she needed to resign saying women empowerment had nothing to do with it.
Hiding behind the so called “women empowerment” thingi wont save ur skin even Ngilu stepped down #WaiguruLiveCensure
— Malombe Roy (@Malombe_Roy) September 30, 2015
Some felt political machinations would still be at play even if she did resign.
But then if she steps aside, how sure are we those investigations will not be influenced through political affiliations? #WaiguruLiveCensure
— Charity Nzomo (@charitynzomo) September 30, 2015
Those in support felt that the CS has done a commendable job and the culprits would be revealed.
If any money got stolen at NYS, IFMIS database logs will show us what and who took it #WaiguruLiveCensure pic.twitter.com/wJt0up74Fw
— #KOT (@KOTNewsAt9) September 30, 2015
But with all said and done, the Kenya Constitution 2010 is very clear on the requirements for public office holders. However, it seems that all reference and abiding by the Constitution hailed as the ‘most progressive’ in the world has not borne fruits five years later.
Chapter Six of the constitution on leadership and integrity says that
“75. (1) A State officer shall behave, whether in public and official life, in private life, or in association with other persons, in a manner that avoids—
(a) any conflict between personal interests and public or official duties;
(b) compromising any public or official interest in favour of a personal interest; or
(c) demeaning the office the officer holds.
(2) A person who contravenes clause (1), or Article 76, 77 or 78
(a) shall be subject to the applicable disciplinary procedure for the relevant office; and Oath of office of State officers.
Conduct of State officers.
(b) may, in accordance with the disciplinary procedure referred to in paragraph (a), be dismissed or otherwise removed from office.
(3) A person who has been dismissed or otherwise removed from office for a contravention of the provisions mentioned in clause (2) is disqualified from holding any other State office.”
And as Kenyans become more enlightened of the laws governing them, it remains a matter of time to see how the Constitution will be entrenched in Waiguru’s case as expressed here.
#WaiguruLiveCensure How exactly will EACC investigate while she’s still in office ? Is the list she handed majorly of sacrificial lambs ?
— Leon Lidigu (@LeonLidigu) September 30, 2015
People are concerned about something untoward seemingly happening within her Porto folio and which is threatening to turn very ugly. When matters reach this level. Ms Waiguru needs help which can be provided if she takes time off from her office and give opportunity to the auditors to do their work and from their findings, Kenyans will be told the whole truth which may clear and exempt her from the Heist.