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Post by kamalet on Feb 28, 2006 8:35:02 GMT 3
The media has been running the case of one Maina Kiai of the government backed Human Rights Commission. It would appear that following the audit of his organisation, the PS Justice & Constitutional Affairs, <s. Angote has decided that a few financial transactions at KNHRC are just not right. For instance, it is suggested that Maina's outfit spent a cool 28 million shillings to acquire Honda CRVs for himself, his commissioners and secretaru for 'for personal use'. That is the same Maina who was lambasting Ministers and other civil servants of running amok buying themselves luxury vehicles...the least I would have expected was Maina buying a Toyota Corola as his duty vehicle. It is also alleged that he paid himself Kshs. 809,000 as relocation expenses whilst 2 other commissioners were paid a total of Kshs. 527,000 as relocation expenses from Mombasa and Garissa!!! In government terms and against the backdrop of scams we talk about, this is pocket change. But the principle does not change! Was this money properly spent in accordance with government financial regulations?
When Angote raised these questions, Maina screamed at the top of his voice that he was being victimised for fighting for Kenyans' rights and more recently for awarding a prize to Githongo. According to Maina, this is a witchhunt and even worse, corruption fighting back. What was even more curious was the suggestion that Angote had no authority to question Maina's outfit since the law said that the commission shall not be under the direction of anyone in the performance of its role. Perhaps Maina forgot that parliament votes for the KNHRC budget through a parent ministry whose accounting officer happens to be Angote.
Whilst in the past Maina has been at the forefront of asking anyone mentioned in any impropriety to step aside to allow for investigation, it is presumptious of him to now allege political witchhunting etcetera! If any impropriety has been suggested as is the case now, Maina must step aside as the head of the organisation to allow for proper investigations. A sword cuts both ways. Does Maina agree or he was just breathing hot air as long as no one sees the skeletons in his cabinet?
Do the honorable thing....resign or better still, STEP ASIDE!!!
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Post by aeichener on Feb 28, 2006 10:32:47 GMT 3
I think I would rather disagree with Kamalet here.
It is more a case of "corruption tries to fight back". Maina Kiai has dared to attack NGOs in the past, and some of them are part and parcel of the corrupt system.
Alexander
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Post by roughrider on Feb 28, 2006 11:02:39 GMT 3
There are only 3 things I would like to say about this.
First is that from Kamale’s standpoint I can see the propaganda value of getting someone like Kiai on the spot – he is after all a vicious critic of government wastage and corruption. I believe that Audit Queries must be made on all government expenditures as and when need arises but always in good faith. So I will understand if anyone wonders why Kamale is keen on highlighting this particular case when his silence on even more atrocious allegations has been deafening. The two words ‘at last’ are particularly revealing.
Secondly, Mr. Kiai needs to come clean on any allegations made….much the same way Spectre International allowed the auditor – state corporations free access to the Molasses deal and was subsequently exonerated of any wrong doing. If you profess to abhor corruption you must be clean yourself. It has not escaped me (if it did Kamale) that KNCHR has already opened up its books to scrutiny and explained each of the expenditures. For instance, it emerges that, the allowances were made during the days of the Standing Committee (chaired by Prof Mutungi) and that vehicles were budgeted at 6 million and bought for 2.8 million instead etc…. these matters need to be made clear.
Finally – watchdogs need independence. That is why KACC was structured as it is. This is also why the Attorney General has security of tenure. One thing Kamale has neglected to say is the fact that government is not just raising all manner of financial queries but is also asking Kiai why he is handling ‘corruption’ and not ‘human rights’. Yet we all know that economic crimes have the effect of taking away our human rights and freedoms.
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Post by kamalet on Feb 28, 2006 11:40:33 GMT 3
RR,
You miss my point.
First and foremost, KNHRC did not open up their books...they are obligated by Law to do so, and queries have been raised. In my mind, he is not better than Raila or Murgor who see political hands in anything, but refuse to acknowledge that some of their calls and actions have been anything but political!!!
What Maina MUST understand is that he has rubbed a couple of people wrong, and they are now coming to get him.........so should he run or wait to be pushed?
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Post by job on Feb 28, 2006 18:30:06 GMT 3
Kamale,
Do you sometimes pause and ask yourself,....... from a moral standpoint,....... that corruption perpetrated by anyone including those you love to support (Kibaki & co) is the single most "cancer" holding the country's development back?
When you choose to ignore (or abet, in thought) cases of public looting in the worth Billions of shillings commited by Kibaki's team, and then go ahead to comment,........as in breathing from a sigh of relief,.........that "Maina Kiai has been caught at last" ,.... you are not only exposing your complicit thoughts with regard to the current corruption, but also suggesting one thing. You seem to be suggesting that Big time corruption commited by "one of your own" is just fine and anyone questioning it must be "finished" immediately. Thus in your mind, "Maina Kiai has been caught at last". "He is finished", you think. How wrong can you be, and What a shame!
As Alexander put it -this is simply a case of corruption fighting back. The corrupt mandarins in government are today busy searching closets of all percieved critics for skeletons. Using State machinery to "create imaginary skeletons"
In some cases don't be surprised to find them planting "mispropiety" into clean deals sealed ages ago, just like wayward policemen planting "bangi" into pockets of people they want arrested.
Most Kenyans have a clear view of things and are watching with disgust, at this circus of shameful and pathetic witch-hunt of government critics. It is another failed public relations exercise by the government which has backfired right into their face. That's just it.
unedited.
Job
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Post by Daktari wa makazi on Feb 28, 2006 23:22:27 GMT 3
Kamalet in his usual garbage.
On a serious note, I think buying Honda CRVs is viable long-term bussiness decision as the cars will last longer compared to Toyota Corollas suggested considering the fact that roads are in appaling situation. Futhermore, Honda CRVs are relatively cheaper compared to the govt favoured Land-Rover.
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Post by mossad on Mar 1, 2006 0:16:51 GMT 3
Kamalet in his usual garbage. On a serious note, I think buying Honda CRVs is viable long-term bussiness decision as the cars will last longer compared to Toyota Corollas suggested considering the fact that roads are in appaling situation. Futhermore, Honda CRVs are relatively cheaper compared to the govt favoured Land-Rover. I agree with that observation and infact i think for the Human rights commosioners to be able to access rural areas, quality cars are needed. Mr Kamale doesnt say whether this department has any other cars that can be used and infact, under Moi, i wonder whether they were funded at all. That gives me the impression that a lot of money have to be spend so as to make Human rights commision more ..functional.. Mossad. |
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Post by kamalet on Mar 1, 2006 8:12:40 GMT 3
Once again, the urge to see politics in everything Kamalet writes is pretty obvious!!
Personally, I do not have a problem with these people buying Prados or Range Rovers....that is not important in my mind as a car is as good as the other as long as its practical use can be realised. My concern, that is if anyone bothered to read where I was coming from, is that DID KNHRC follow government financial guidelines in the procurement/expenditure process?
If they are wrong on this one account alone, as I said, the amount involved is not the issue..it is the principle that should worry anyone of us!
For those putting in a case for the CRV's, they should note that the expenditure was flagged as "for the personal use of the commissioners and secretary". Not government business...but personal use!!!!
Now for those who can only think of diversions, I hope we can concentrate on this developing scandal and ignore Anglo Leasing which we have flogged sufficiently!!!...and to think this board had some brains (!)
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Post by roughrider on Mar 1, 2006 14:48:21 GMT 3
RR, What Maina MUST understand is that he has rubbed a couple of people wrong, and they are now coming to get him.........so should he run or wait to be pushed? I see your point. For a moment I thought this might have been a genuine probe. But thanks for allaying those delusions and showing this to be a revenge mission. |
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Post by kamalet on Mar 1, 2006 16:52:44 GMT 3
RR, What Maina MUST understand is that he has rubbed a couple of people wrong, and they are now coming to get him.........so should he run or wait to be pushed? I see your point. For a moment I thought this might have been a genuine probe. But thanks for allaying those delusions and showing this to be a revenge mission. RR, Absolutely nothing wrong with this as long as the man is not being framed. Remember the people living in glasshouse saying??? Why do you think the corruption war in this country is not being fought on a political rather than ethical platform? This is Kenya my brother!!! |
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Post by aeichener on May 2, 2007 10:41:20 GMT 3
Let's just add that KNCHR is not able (or not willing) to answer repeated email inquiries about its human rights work, and that their website was taken down entirely immediately after it was pointed out to them that the telephone numbers were outdated. Very Kenyan: rather offer no service at all, than improve something.
Alexander
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Post by aeichener on May 24, 2007 16:47:24 GMT 3
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