Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential running mate Martha Karua has defended her decision to resign from the late former president Mwai Kibaki’s cabinet in 2009.
This was after her Kenya Kwanza Alliance counterpart Rigathi Gachagua called her out during the Deputy Presidential Debate on Tuesday evening, accusing her of abandoning Kibaki when he needed her most.
Gachagua, who is Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate, claimed that the fact that Karua was unable to work with Kibaki whom he described as “the gentleman of Kenyan politics” means she cannot serve under anybody else, terming her a quitter.
“I don’t think it is honorable to be a quitter, I think you must fight from within and pursue what you intended to do. Martha Karua quit President Kibaki’s government when Kibaki needed her; when Kibaki was in trouble, when Raila Odinga was making life impossible for him,” said Gachagua.
“Mwai Kibaki needed Martha Karua. And at a time when Martha Karua needed to assist Mwai Kibaki, she quit. Mwai Kibaki is and has been the gentleman of Kenya’s politics; an amiable old man, a good man, a respectable man, a man who was listening to everybody. Any leader who could not work with Mwai Kibaki, I have serious doubt that leader can work with anybody else.”
But in her defense, Karua stated that she respectfully stepped down as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs because of principles, insisting that resigning from a government you no longer believe in is the only honorable thing to do.
She also took a swipe at Ruto for remaining in government and continuing to draw public salary despite his fall out with President Kenyatta.
“For those who don’t understand principle, they can never envisage resigning. But I do think it is dishonest to continue to take public salary, to take the privilege and all that goes with office, when you know you can no longer deliver because of differences or other things,” said Karua.
“I respectfully withdrew myself by resignation from Mwai Kibaki’s government, no name calling, such that we were able to continue to meet and sit down and talk…I don’t think the same can be said of Gachagua’s principal.”
She added: “Entertaining disagreement outside government and publicly is disruptive, no wonder the government in which Gachagua’s principal serves is unable to fight corruption because it is pulling in two different directions. That is why we have a paralysis today.”
No wonder Uhuru’s government…
No wonder Uhuru’s government is unable to fight corruption because the corrupt Uhuru- {who is sitting on land stolen from wananchi} joined hands- handshake, with the corrupt merchant of violence-Raila to squander mali ya uma. Remember Kisumu Molasses? Raila’s tribesmen, Jaluos contributed Ksh 1.7Billion for part ownership of the project. They haven’t gotten anything yet! Maize scandal, Kazi Kwa Vijana etc. It is time to build strong independent institutions as spelled out in our constitution in order to create a strong and sustainable democracy for us and posterity: Judiciary, IEBC, NCIC etc. Raila has been consistent in demolishing these institutions in a violent manner. He had weekly mass demonstrations {May 18,2016-World Africa} in Nairobi to kick out IEBC. But would not go to Parliament and remove the IEBC in accordance with the law because Raila has contempt for Kenya laws. He has no respect for any laws of Kenya {Treason} and acts as if he is above the law. {if he calls people mandoandoa he goes home, if MP Linturi uses the same word he goes to jail} We have given ourselves a good constitution-2010, we need a leader who will protect it, defend it and give it a chance- not assault it with a fake BBI that he has promised to resurrect if he becomes president. Raila is our violent, nasty, dirty past and we refuse to go back there,
Tell your buried dead mother…
Tell your buried dead mother your damn spill. Only her would perhaps be willing to listen to your imbecile kaka dudu nonsense!
Mrs.Njoka knows very well…
Mrs.Njoka knows very well the law gives Kenya’s president the role of rubber stamping in appointment of judges.waKarua wants Kenyans to believe she resigned from expired thug Kibaki’s govt in principle but she was protesting the appointment of GBM who had rejected her PEKENYE and buried the hatchet with his wife.Where is Wangari’s principal in joining YAKAMONDO/KOFIA Raila yet she forced a home village boy,Ndegwa to circumcise himself to death thirty years ago?Ati principaled but joining a savage who cannibalized 1300 Kenyans and druglord Sonko who disappeared from Prison.Ata hana haya.
Raila is our violent, nasty,…
Raila is our violent, nasty, dirty past and we refuse to go back there!!!! this was the best sentence I have read in a very long time!!! well said @wamwororo
Gachagua doesn’t understand…
Gachagua doesn’t understand principles!
It means taking a stand!
If he wants to frame it in terms of loyalty, then is his loyalty with Ruto or with the 50+ Kikuyus murdered in Kiambaa church by Ruto’s henchmen!
Or is it to his wallet??
Mgombea urais yeyote ambaye…
Mgombea urais yeyote ambaye ametoa rushwa ya aina yoyote au kuiba mali ya umma, asipewe nafasi ya kupigiwa kura nchini.
Jamani, tumechoka kutokana na ujambazi, utapeli, wizi unaotokana na watu ambao wame haguliwa kuwahudumia wananchi.