Written By Lisa Murimi
On Thursday, the National Integrity Alliance (NIA), a coalition of five non-governmental organizations, called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate all recently dismissed cabinet secretaries.
The alliance, led by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), urged the EACC to conduct thorough lifestyle audits and scrutinize the wealth of the ousted ministers.
During a press conference, the NGOs emphasized the need for President William Ruto to appoint uncorrupt and honest leaders without any legal violations. “We call on EACC to commence lifestyle audits and investigations targeting the recently sacked CSs and other public service officers,” the organizations demanded. They also highlighted the importance of holding public officers accountable for displaying wealth that is inconsistent with their declared income sources.
The human rights groups stressed that the dismissed cabinet secretaries must be held accountable to ensure that public funds were not mismanaged through corruption. They also called on President Ruto to investigate the atrocities committed against peaceful protesters during recent demonstrations.
Specifically, the NGOs demanded action against former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and his defense counterpart, Aden Duale, for the deaths that occurred during anti-government protests. The groups also cited unresolved corruption cases, such as the fake fertilizer and mosquito net scams, as areas needing accountability.
These demands follow President Ruto’s recent decision to dismiss all his cabinet secretaries, sparing only the Prime CS, who also serves as the Foreign Affairs Minister. Ruto stated that the move was in response to the demands made by Kenyans during recent nationwide demonstrations.
“Upon reflection and listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said and after a holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges, I have today decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the CSs and AG except the PCS and CS for Foreign Affairs. The office of the DP is not affected in any way,” Ruto announced at a State House press conference in Nairobi.
