Uhuru's phone call that saved Health CS Sicily Kariuki from impeachment

mary kulundu

March 23, 2018 8:13 AM

Details of Uhuru's private call

It has now emerged that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto had a hand in the withdrawal of an impeachment motion filed against Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki.

On Wednesday, Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullahi tabled a motion in Parliament seeking the removal of Ms. Kariuki. Mr. Abdullahi accused the Health Minister of arrogance and lack of respect for elected leaders.

The motion was seconded by Belgut MP Nelson Koech and signed by over 100 lawmakers who expressed their displeasure in Ms. Kariuki’s move to suspend Kenyatta National Hospital CEO Lilly Koros over a surgery mix-up.

On Thursday, however, the MPs withdrew the motion.

Also Read: Health CS Sicily Kariuki survives impeachment

A report by the Daily Nation indicates that the Deputy President summoned the two MPs on Wednesday evening and directed them to withdraw the motion.

It is said that President Uhuru Kenyatta joined the meeting through the telephone call as he was out of the country.

Garissa Township MP and National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale announced the withdrawal of the motion during a press conference.

Mr. Duale stated that the Jubilee leadership had resolved to solve the matters internally.

“We have a strong working relationship with the executive and we believe that this matter can be dealt with at other levels. At the moment, we have serious issues to deal with including budget, food security, and devolution," Duale said.

In the impeachment motion, the MPs also accused CS Kariuki of misusing public funds by ordering a refurbishment of an entire office floor at Afya House, nepotism and interfering with the recruitment process of the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency chief executive.

mary kulundu