Make good your threat, Karua dares critics

By Antony Gitonga and Peter Opiyo

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Martha Karua has dared MPs opposed to her to make good their censure Motion threat.

Ms Karua said she would not be intimidated, adding that a Cabinet seat was not a "matter of life and death".

She attributed the move to a cartel of corrupt leaders and anti-reform forces.

"I will not be intimidated by anyone," she said.

Karua was speaking at Lakeside Hotel In Naivasha when she met head teachers from the larger Kirinyaga District.

On her presidential ambitions, Karua said: "Those attacking me should know am not going to drop my ambitions simply because they are against me. I will be in the race come 2012."

And her Narc-Kenya party dismissed the threat as baseless and political.

Speaking at a news conference at the party headquarters, Secretary-General Danson Mungatana claimed those behind the Motion had been sponsored to silence the party chairperson.

"We know corruption is fighting back and are aware the maize and oil scandals’ money is trying to fight the voice of anti-corruption," said Mr Mungatana.

Failed responsibility

Speaking on Wednesday at a rally in Kamukunji, seven MPs accused Karua of abdicating her role and failing to reform the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and the Judiciary.

Local MP Simon Mbugua said: "When we talk about political responsibility, we should live to it. She was at the forefront indicting Ruto (William) and asked him to bow to political responsibility. Dockets under the Justice ministry have failed. She should lead by example and resign."

Others present were Mr Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), Mr Magerer Lang’at (Kipkelion), Mr Ferdinand Waititu (Embakasi), Mr Benjamin Lang’at (Ainamoi), Mr Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i) and Mr Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis)

But Narc-Kenya defended Karua.

"She has brought many Bills, including those that led to the formation of the Coalition Government and appointment of experts on a new constitution," said Mungatana.

He said Karua had demanded the resignation of ministers implicated in the maize and oil scandals.