Transfers were in order, says William Ruto

Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has finally broken his silence over the removal of

Kiplimo Rugut as the Director General of the National Youth Service and asked those seeking to impeach Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru over the civil servant’s controversial transfer to leave her alone. Ruto said he and President Uhuru Kenyatta took full responsibility over the transfers and rebuked members of the Jubilee coalition who have declared that they will impeach the Cabinet Secretary over the irregular transfer.   “Politicians should stop harassing a junior person over the transfer and those who are not satisfied with the latest development should direct their grievances to me and the President,” he said. Scoffed at attempts The Deputy President, who was speaking in Kericho County, ended speculations over what he knew about the transfer    that has sparked tension within the Jubilee Coalition, with some members in Ruto’s URP party stating that Mr Rugut’s transfer and subsequent replacement by Dr Nelson Githinji was in violation of the party’s pre-election pact with The National Alliance (TNA) party as if favoured candidates  aligned to the latter. However, yesterday Ruto scoffed at attempts to impeach Ms Waiguru. “It is the responsibility of the Public Service Commission to transfer all public servants and if people are not satisfied, they should ask me or the President,” Ruto said in an apparent rebuttal of  sentiments expressed by his MPs that TNA had shortchanged URP in State appointments. See also: All I want is justice for my son’s murder, cries mother of butchered toddler “I do no’t understand why some disgruntled people are only raising questions over this transfer yet we have had other appointments,” Ruto said. The Deputy President said the Rift Valley had in the past benefited from the appointments at the Kenya National Hospital and the National Social Security Fund.  “Why are we complaining about this particular transfer yet when we had several other appointments but no one said anything?” he posed. Already a Motion of notice to impeach Waiguru that was fronted by Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi has gained momentum with over 100 MPs signing a petition to support the motion at the floor of the house when Parliament re-opens. Last week, The Standard on Sunday reported that Ruto had okayed the transfer despite the hue and cry by URP supporters that the TNA wing of the Jubilee coalition were unfairly targeting public servants from Rift Valley for removal from key positions in the public service. Addressing other issues  on impeachments yesterday, Ruto assured Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony of his support. Chepkwony was recently impeached by Kericho County Assembly and the Senate has now been summoned for a special session to deliberate on the impeachment.