Anne Waiguru_Facebook

Devolution CS Anne Waiguru. Pressure is mounting for her to resign pitting Kenyans from both sides against each in the proposal for her to step down. Photo: Anne Waiguru/Facebook

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.

Minutes later, Itumbi caught some flak for his stand from journalist Larry Madowo who questioned why exactly he was supporting the CS.

Others sought to compare Waiguru and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with some interesting parallels.

And the debate on Waiguru’s culpability continued, some said they had seen the change which was being initiated by the CS.

And then, #WaiguruLiveCensure was born. Those against the CS felt that she needed to resign saying women empowerment had nothing to do with it.

Some felt political machinations would still be at play even if she did resign.

Those in support felt that the CS has done a commendable job and the culprits would be revealed.

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.