A former senior Kenyan government official has called for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Raila Odinga for what he calls his abdication of his constitutional responsibilities.
Miguna Miguna, the prime minister’s former advisor on coalition affairs, said Odinga has yet to deny accusations that he has been condoning graft.
“He should have resigned a long time ago. He is totally incompetent; he is very disorganized; he is dysfunctional; he is confused, [and] he has not executed his functions as he should,” said Miguna.
In his newly released memoir, Miguna said he has evidence that connects senior officials of the prime minister’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to the country’s 2007-2008 post-election violence.
But, in a statement, Odinga’s spokesman described as condoning impunity (corruption) Miguna’s refusal to divulge what he knows about the post-election violence.
“Mr. Miguna’s withholding such vital information from the authorities on a subject of such grave concern for Kenyans is a disservice to the nation and a further boon to entrenching impunity…withholding evidence of a major felony, leave alone of mass murder, which rose to the level of international crimes, is a violation of the laws of Kenya. Such silence is considered as abetting the original crime,” said Odinga spokesman Dennis Onyango.
“Mr. Miguna, while claiming to be motivated only by the highest moral and ethical principles, is in fact obstructing justice in a case of immense national importance.”
Supporters of Odinga have accused the former aide of hypocrisy saying his allegations are sour grapes. They called on the prime minister not to “stoop low” to Miguna’s allegations.
But, Miguna insists he is credible adding that Kenyans need to know who their prime minister really is.
“Do you think I will stay in the same country and challenge a prime minister of an African country? Do you think by this time I would still be walking free? Wouldn’t they have locked me up on any flimsy [charge]? I am clean. That is why they can’t get to me,” said Miguna.
Miguna declined his reinstatement to the prime minister’s office after he was suspended for alleged gross misconduct, including refusal to sign local agreement forms despite several appeals, use of abusive language to colleagues and misrepresenting the prime minister’s office.
Miguna said Odinga has failed to fight against graft.
“He did not just condone [wrongdoing], he partook in corruption. I mean he has not said that what I said was false. He has not denied any of the allegations. Why can’t he stand and deny [them]. Is he too big? Let him come clean, let him go to court and make me go prove that he is corrupt,” said Miguna.
“Why does he fear going to court? Why is he trying to threaten me using goons...is that how a responsible prime minister behaves?”
Miguna said Odinga seems confused about his duties as prime minister.
“I supported the prime minister because I believed in him. I believed that he was the best agent of change. I believed that he stood as a force against the culture of impunity. I thought that he could wrestle to the ground grand corruption. I thought he could deal with tribalism and nepotism, and I found he was a chief merchant of impunity,” he said.
“A lot of people cannot take a stand because they can easily be bought, they are intimidated [and] they are cowardly. I refuse to subscribe to those.”
Miguna Miguna, the prime minister’s former advisor on coalition affairs, said Odinga has yet to deny accusations that he has been condoning graft.
“He should have resigned a long time ago. He is totally incompetent; he is very disorganized; he is dysfunctional; he is confused, [and] he has not executed his functions as he should,” said Miguna.
In his newly released memoir, Miguna said he has evidence that connects senior officials of the prime minister’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to the country’s 2007-2008 post-election violence.
But, in a statement, Odinga’s spokesman described as condoning impunity (corruption) Miguna’s refusal to divulge what he knows about the post-election violence.
“Mr. Miguna’s withholding such vital information from the authorities on a subject of such grave concern for Kenyans is a disservice to the nation and a further boon to entrenching impunity…withholding evidence of a major felony, leave alone of mass murder, which rose to the level of international crimes, is a violation of the laws of Kenya. Such silence is considered as abetting the original crime,” said Odinga spokesman Dennis Onyango.
“Mr. Miguna, while claiming to be motivated only by the highest moral and ethical principles, is in fact obstructing justice in a case of immense national importance.”
Supporters of Odinga have accused the former aide of hypocrisy saying his allegations are sour grapes. They called on the prime minister not to “stoop low” to Miguna’s allegations.
But, Miguna insists he is credible adding that Kenyans need to know who their prime minister really is.
“Do you think I will stay in the same country and challenge a prime minister of an African country? Do you think by this time I would still be walking free? Wouldn’t they have locked me up on any flimsy [charge]? I am clean. That is why they can’t get to me,” said Miguna.
Miguna declined his reinstatement to the prime minister’s office after he was suspended for alleged gross misconduct, including refusal to sign local agreement forms despite several appeals, use of abusive language to colleagues and misrepresenting the prime minister’s office.
Miguna said Odinga has failed to fight against graft.
“He did not just condone [wrongdoing], he partook in corruption. I mean he has not said that what I said was false. He has not denied any of the allegations. Why can’t he stand and deny [them]. Is he too big? Let him come clean, let him go to court and make me go prove that he is corrupt,” said Miguna.
“Why does he fear going to court? Why is he trying to threaten me using goons...is that how a responsible prime minister behaves?”
Miguna said Odinga seems confused about his duties as prime minister.
“I supported the prime minister because I believed in him. I believed that he was the best agent of change. I believed that he stood as a force against the culture of impunity. I thought that he could wrestle to the ground grand corruption. I thought he could deal with tribalism and nepotism, and I found he was a chief merchant of impunity,” he said.
“A lot of people cannot take a stand because they can easily be bought, they are intimidated [and] they are cowardly. I refuse to subscribe to those.”
