The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) in its report last week accused the big three (President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka of abuse of office during the referendum campaign period. Writer Vitalis Kimutai spoke to Ministers Dr Noah Wekesa (Forestry) and Samuel Poghisio (Information) on their views.
YES: Samuel Poghisio (Information minister)
QUESTION: Do you support the latest KHRC report which accuses President Kibaki, the PM and the VP of having abused their offices in the referendum campaigns?
ANSWER: We in the 'No' camp have repeatedly said the principals should not abuse their offices in the referendum campaigns. The KHRC report has reinforced our position.
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| Samuel Poghisio (Information minister) |
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| Dr Noah Wekesa (Forestry ministry) |
QUESTION: Apart from the three, the report also implicates Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura and Higher Education minister William Ruto, the 'No' de facto leader. Comment.
ANSWER: Unfortunately, I have not read the KHRC report. How does Ruto come in? Why is he being blamed for things he has no power over? It should not happen at all.
QUESTION: In the KHRC report, acting Programmes Coordinator Tom Kagwe explained that the bigwigs had flouted the Public Officers Ethics Act, which outlaws public officers from engaging in activities that compromise their political neutrality. Do you agree?
ANSWER: I totally agree. Public servants have been forced into campaigning for the Proposed Constitution in their respective areas when they should be neutral.
QUESTION: President Kibaki is accused of dishing out districts and elevating teachers' colleges to universities to woo voters. Are you convinced such Presidential decisions are meant to sway support?
ANSWER: I would not worry about those things. What he does during his tour of duty in the country cannot much be separated from his cardinal duties. But his decisions and actions should not be seen to influence the people to vote in a particular manner at the referendum.
QUESTION: Ruto is blamed to have promised lecturers a pay rise while Kalonzo pledged Sh1 million to the location that delivers the highest 'Yes' votes in Ukambani. What is your view?
ANSWER: If Ruto promised lecturers a pay rise, it was within his ministerial duties, but when Kalonzo promises Sh1 million to a village, then it is definitely meant to influence the people.
QUESTION: Do you think the KHRC accusations are tenable?
ANSWER: Indeed, the accusations are tenable. The Principals and all the other leaders should have stuck to the rules of the game. It is the duty of KHRC to set the standards and to put checks and balances on what we are doing and on this issue they have done a good thing and set the record straight.
QUESTION: What measures do you think should be taken to minimise abuse of office by those in charge of running the country's affairs?
The public should be allowed to make independent decisions without the influence of those in office, especially on such an issue as the proposed constitution that affects the current and future generations.
NO: Dr Noah Wekesa (Forestry ministry)
QUESTION: Do you support the latest KHRC report which accuses President Kibaki, the PM and the VP of having abused their offices in the referendum campaigns?
ANSWER: Though I have not read the report, I do not agree with the claims made against President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka. That perception is wrong because the leaders were participating in the reform process.
QUESTION: Apart from the three, the report also implicates Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura and Higher Education minister William Ruto, the 'No' de facto leader. Comment.
Both Ruto and Muthaura equally have a right to take part in the reform process both in their official and private capacities and the issue of abuse of office does not arise.
QUESTION: In the KHRC report, acting Programmes Coordinator Tom Kagwe explained that the bigwigs had flouted the Public Officers Ethics Act, which outlaws public officers from engaging in activities that compromise their political neutrality. Do you agree?
ANSWER: I do not agree with that at all. Like I said, the reform process affects everyone in the society and no one should be excluded by virtue of his position. The Proposed Constitution is a document for both the current and future generations.
QUESTION: President Kibaki is accused of dishing out districts and elevating teachers colleges to universities to woo voters. Are you convinced such Presidential decisions are meant to sway support?
ANSWER: It would not sway the voters as the people are the ones who had requested for elevation of districts and colleges to university status. The President was not seeking to influence the people to vote in a particular manner at the referendum, but granting their requests.
QUESTION: Ruto is blamed to have promised lecturers a pay rise while Kalonzo pledged Sh1 million to the location that delivers the highest 'Yes' votes in Ukambani. What is your view?
ANSWER: What Kalonzo did is what I would like to do because it brings out competition among the people. Ruto, on the other hand, has not done anything wrong. I was once a minister for Higher Education and I am aware of the problems lecturers are facing, which I suppose Ruto was seeking to solve.
QUESTION: Do you think the KHRC accusations are tenable?
ANSWER: They are not tenable at all.
What measures do you think should be taken to minimise abuse of office by those in charge of running the country's affairs?
ANSWER: I wish to reiterate that no one has abused office in the referendum campaigns as alleged in the KHRC report and as such I do not wish to discuss it.
Source: The Standard | Online Edition
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