Governor Alex Tolgos tells colleagues mentioned in graft list to step aside

Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos. He has called on governors mentioned in the EACC list on corruptions allegations to step aside and be investigated. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Governor Tolgos said he would have stepped aside had his name been in the List of Shame.
• He spoke as at least 15 Rift Valley MPs and two senators allied to the Jubilee Alliance Party supported the move by key government officials to step aside to pave way for investigations.
• Governor Tolgos and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen told governors across the country mentioned to resign.
• He said those tasked with investigating the corruption allegations must be men and women of integrity.

By PHILEMON SUTER
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Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has told fellow governors named in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC) List of Shame to step aside.

Speaking in Sambirir Girls Secondary School in Marakwet East during a fund-raising meeting organised by MP Kangogo Bowen, Governor Tolgos said he would have stepped aside had his name been in the List of Shame.

He spoke as at least 15 Rift Valley MPs and two senators allied to the Jubilee Alliance Party supported the move by key government officials to step aside to pave way for investigations after being mentioned in the corruption list.

“Some of the mentioned officials have never gone for leave since they were appointed into office and we are now urging them that they might as well take the bold step so that they can be probed,” said Kericho Senator Charles Keter.

NOT GUILTY

Mr Keter said the fact that one was listed did not mean he or she was guilty.

“Corruption is a disease that must be eradicated and we appreciate the move taken by the President to call for the named officials to step aside,” said Mr Keter.

MPs present at the Saturday fundraiser included Cornelius Serem (Aldai), Janet Nangabo (Woman Representative, Trans Nzoia), Silas Tiren (Moiben), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), William Kisang (Marakwet West), Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South) and Joseph Limo (Kipkelion).

Governor Tolgos and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen told governors across the country mentioned to resign with Council of Governors Chairman Isaack Ruto (Bomet) and Peter Munya (Meru), whose names had come up in the list, maintaining they would go nowhere.

“I am urging the likes of the Bomet governor and Mr Munya that they should stop giving conditions in defence ofr their adverse mentions in the EACC list,” said Senator Murkomen.

“The presumption of innocent until proven otherwise must apply to anyone mentioned,” the senator added.

But Tinderet MP Julius Melly called on the EACC to clean its house over integrity matters first before “tarnishing peoples’ names,” adding that corruption should be eliminated at all costs from every sector of government.

He said those tasked with investigating the corruption allegations must be men and women of integrity.