FINALLY RINGERA BOWS OUT OF INTEGRITY HOUSE

By ANTHONY KARIUKI
DAILY NATION
September 30 2009

Deputy director Ms Fatuma Sichale also resigns.
The KACC advisory board is now free to advertise for the three vacant positions.

The director of the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission Justice Aaron Ringera has finally left office.

The besieged KACC boss resigned Wednesday following relentless pressure from the body’s advisory board, civil society, politicians and Kenyans to have him step aside.

Mr Ringera communicated his decision to KACC staff during a brief meeting, after which he addressed a news conference.

At the news conference, he read a statement that said, in part,: "My reappointment as the director of the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission and that of the two assistant directors has raised a national storm and led to a Parliamentary debate hitherto unwitnessed in our country.

"The deputy director and I have considered all the happenings and have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of Kenya, the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission as an institution, staff as well as in the best interest of us as individuals and our families to exit from the leadership of KACC."

Mr Ringera quoted the bible, specifically Ecclesiastes Chapter 2: "There is time for everything....time to be born, time to die, to embrace and refrain....."

"And I would personally add," said Mr Ringera, "There is a time to hold office, and a time to leave office."

The deputy director in charge of legal services, Ms Fatuma Sichale, has also resigned joining fellow deputy Dr Smokin Wanjala, who quit two weeks ago.

The KACC advisory board is now free to advertise for the three positions.

Mr Ringera defended his record at the helm of the anti-graft body, enumerating cases recommended for prosecution.

"To date, the commission has investigated and recommended for prosecution 8 ministers, 4 Members of Parliament, 11 Permanent Secretaries, 65 directors and Chief Executive Officers of public institutions and 96 other senior level management officers of public bodies."

He added that his work and that of his two deputies was beyond reproach.
In all that we have done, we have discharged our mandate with integrity, courage, complete independence, and outmost professionalism," said Mr Ringera.

"We have given the fight against corruption our all. As we bow out, we do with our heads high."

Since Parliament declared his reappointment by President Kibaki illegal three weeks ago, Mr Ringera has defied calls for his resignation until now, even telling off the board when challenged to quit.

He said that only the courts can remove him from office and refused to release funds to place an advertisement for the director’s post saying there was “no vacancy.”

The House, acting on the recommendations of two committees- Delegated Legislation and Administration, Justice and Legal Affairs- nullified his reappointment for a further five-year term after finding President Kibaki erred in law in renewing his contract.

The President reappointed Justice Ringera without reference to the KACC Advisory Board or Parliament, a move termed illegal by the two institutions.

The board is supposed to shortlist candidates, send them to Parliament for vetting before they are forwarded to the President for appointment.

Last week, Mr Ringera met the Chief Justice and the President amid reports that he was being prepared to return to the judiciary as an appellate judge even as his options and those offering their backing reduced.

Indeed, a source close to the presidency said that Ringera’s chances of staying on were “close to none” signalling that State House was distancing itself from the man.

Dr Smokin Wanjala, who until his resignation two weeks ago was the commission’s deputy director, left his post just days after Parliament nullified a gazette notice containing Ringera’s reappointment and those of his two deputies.

Following Justice Ringera’s refusal to quit, a section of MPs had wanted the House reconvened for them to cut funding to KACC.

A draft Bill, which if passed could see the dissolution of the KACC, is also being prepared by Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch.
NGOs on Tuesday resolved to raise funds to advertise the positions of KACC director and two assistants if Mr Justice Ringera does not okay it by Friday.
Submitted by mwatania
Posted September 30, 2009 06:59 PM

We shouldn't celebrate the Ringera exit.There is pain if the MPs fail to push forward with the same zeal for the prosecution of those names forwarded by the commission to the attorney general's office.The core value of the commission was to fight corruption thus parliament should act on those names forthwith.Stop double speak.

Submitted by martin_o_okumu
Posted September 30, 2009 06:52 PM

Let us hear the conclusion, the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear GOD, and keep His Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Submitted by JoshWanjala
Posted September 30, 2009 06:38 PM

God Kibaki is clueless. Why not take a bold step, read public mood summon AG Wako,the 15 prominent Kenyans impeding reform and tell them to their face they are fired. This guy/his advisors dont get it. Kenyans want total overhaul and are not interested in big vocs like sovereignity,duly appointed,duly elected, prerogative etc. Some of these leaders still live in 70s, 80s and 90s when president was number number 1 in everything.

Submitted by vgogero
Posted September 30, 2009 06:36 PM

We have many highly qualified Kenyans If it has to be a judge then try out Justice Bosire he did a fine job at the Goldenberg inquiry and Mr Githongo your country needs you now at its hour of need

Submitted by abingoben
Posted September 30, 2009 06:29 PM

Bravo our parliament. We are proud that the Kenyan parliament is bringing sense in our governance structures and issues of accountability are being seen to take centre stage. The executive must now wake up. I can proudly say that the days of impunity in Kenya are numbered. Where are Amos Wako and Mutula Kilonzo? I believe President Kibaki is a good and honest leader and he meant well for Kenya in re-appointing Ringera. However his advisers and in particular Wako and Kilonzo are abig liability to our government.

Submitted by oiseaubleu
Posted September 30, 2009 06:24 PM

"In all that we have done, we have discharged our mandate with integrity, courage, complete independence, and outmost professionalism," said Mr Ringera. Tell it to the birds.Nobody's listening

Submitted by KORYEMA
Posted September 30, 2009 06:14 PM

Now Ringera has resigned,parliament should make sure the replacement at KACCA is an individual who can stand alone,reformist,a person of high integrity who believes in continuous revelation.Parliament should not stop with Ringera,it should reverse all illegal appointments and districts created.

Submitted by jahazi
Posted September 30, 2009 06:11 PM

This can only mean good for the country. I wonder what Wako and Gicheru are waiting for. For the first time, the Legilature and General Public prevail against a tyrannical Executive (read president).

Submitted by abiudjohns
Posted September 30, 2009 05:49 PM

It is definately a bit decision for Justice Ringera but it is arguably the best. It is unfortunate that he has taken so long to arrive at this laudable option to resign. I hope this will be a chance for KACC to regain its lost credibility.

Submitted by mosee254
Posted September 30, 2009 05:39 PM

This is what i call taking kenyans for a ride. In Ringeras contract theres a clause stating that if he is dismissed from office he gets all the mone he would have made had he stayed in office for his term.now he gets to walk away with a cool 150 million in the name of stepping aside Kenyans need to wake up this people are out to suck us dry

Submitted by Kenya_Imwe
Posted September 30, 2009 05:25 PM

Mad_genius, lol at the suspicious fire thing. I can totally see that happening. Amos Wako should be the next to go especially since he was supposed to advise the president and also for always making excuses on why he can't prosecute corruption cases.

Submitted by kenyalv
Posted September 30, 2009 05:19 PM

Thank God he has finally resigned.most of the kenyan corporations are full of impunity,i hope Kibaki doesnt appoint another corrupt boss. Kenya will never move forward unless we get people like Ringera out

Submitted by gakuyuexpress
Posted September 30, 2009 05:12 PM

Definitely one of the few victories for national interest against Kibaki and the clique around him that seems to have Moi era hangovers. Interesting, though, how after swearing he "deserved" to hold the post Ringera now claims to be resigning "in public interest." He must be slow to read public mood!

Submitted by OROWE
Posted September 30, 2009 05:08 PM

Pls Kenyan politicians you should respect the pple starting with Kibaki,Kalonzo,Kilonzo and all those insisted his there to stay.Shame on you. Long live KACC long live Kenya and now welcome PLO for the Job and lets Kick Corruption

Submitted by mpisha
Posted September 30, 2009 04:42 PM

Some weeks ago he was absolutely delighted to be reappointed even going ahead to affirm his stay in office...i bet they all burn in the same oil he always claimed to unleash!

Submitted by mad_genius
Posted September 30, 2009 04:25 PM

I predict a fire at Integrity Centre that will burn the sensitive files on Anglo Leasing, Grand Regency, and other sensitive scams connected directly with Kibaki. If Kibaki can't have his buddy to protect him and his family from prosecution, surely, a fire isn't that difficult to start?

Submitted by moigeomari
Posted September 30, 2009 04:23 PM

Daktari Alfred Mutua you should do the same. Kibaki too should be mounted under presssure to give up the keys to state house since the performance record is so poor. I can now get my paper work ready to apply for this job thank goodness. If you are a leader and you cannot deliver to the people, resign before your time comes.

Submitted by omwambi
Posted September 30, 2009 04:22 PM

The President should hang is head in shame.He must respect the rule of law and lead by example.Parliament must take its rightful position to tell the president whenever he goes wrong.Let us be patriotic as corruption is a great demon which will consume the whole country.

Submitted by MichaOlga
Posted September 30, 2009 04:11 PM

Isn't it funny how everyone who is forced by parliament to resign always says something silly like "over my dead body" or "Never" or "Make me" and then....they resign. Maybe someone threatens them and their families...and all manner of "fish" they're associated with....Haha...it's sad and funny.

Submitted by kasarani
Posted September 30, 2009 04:09 PM

JOHN GITHONGO is the Gentleman for the JOB.He has done us proud by exposing all the scams in the Government and Surely what has the Attorney General Done with the cases thrown them in the trash can and ofcourse Maina Kiai For the Post of Attorney General

Submitted by ikiplagat
Posted September 30, 2009 03:55 PM

Give this KACC job to people of integrity; Wangari Maathai, PLO Lumumba,Yash Pal Ghai etc..wacha hizi siasa of recycling dead wood

Submitted by thecreature
Posted September 30, 2009 03:29 PM

And he swore to stay?!!! So who is laughing now? Kibaki needs to realize that just because he got away with a rigged election doesn't mean he gets away with every crime he commits while in office. Parliament now has teeth. And it can bite!