President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday lashed out at former anti-corruption czar John Githongo for failing to honour an invite to State House’s accountability summit.
The invitation was extended to the whistle blower in the wake of his recent comments that characterised the Jubilee government as most corrupt regime in post-colonial Kenya.
WHY DIDN’T HE COME
The President, who appeared distraught during his address at the summit, said; “I’m disappointed that my friend Githongo who is always challenging me out there, why didn’t he come to raise those issues that he raises elsewhere…raise those issues here? It is in every Kenyan’s interest for us to make progress…for us to find solutions.”
State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu had on Monday indicated that anti-graft crusaders John Githongo and David Ndii were among those invited for the summit.
Other government officials who spoke at summit also weighed in, with pointed criticisms towards Mr Githongo and Saturday Nation columnist David Ndii, who have separately been critical of corruption in President Kenyatta’s government.
PROVIDE EVIDENCE
Majority leader Aden Duale challenged Mr Githongo to provide evidence stating, “When Githongo says this is the most corrupt government, he must provide evidence.”
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said, “Mr Ndii did not show up because he would not have been able to substantiate claims he made that Eurobond money had been stolen.”
He added that not a single shilling of the money was lost and there is documentation to prove the same.
Mr Ndii, an economist, has in his bi-weekly articles insisted that the Sh120 billion Eurobond money was lost.
Mr Githongo had last week in an interview on NTV blamed President Kenyatta for the corruption in government, saying the head of state had not provided the goodwill to fight corruption.
Kenyans on Twitter who noted the absence of both Mr Ndii and Mr Githongo expressed their mixed reactions to the no-show.
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NGINYAH NGARUMA, HSC @nginyahn
#ACCOUNTABILITYKE VERY DISAPPOINTING OF JOHN GITHONGO AND DAVID NDII NOT TO SHOW UP. THIS PUTS TO QUESTION THEIR CREDIBILITY AND AGENDA
4:53 AM – 18 Oct 2016
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StEaLtH mOdE @KenyanSanta
JOHN GITHONGO IS THAT ONE GUY WHO PEDDLES LIES AND FLEES AFTER THE ISSUE ESCALATES. BURE KABISA #STATEHOUSESUMMIT#ACCOUNTABILITYKE
4:43 AM – 18 Oct 2016
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Benji Ndolo @BenjiNdolo
THT PANEL IS KENYA. SOFT, JOKEY, HESITANT, UNFOCUSED. IF KE WERE SERIOUS IG MARTHA, DPP MIGUNA, EACC GITHONGO, AG BETTY#ACCOUNTABILITYKE
3:14 AM – 18 Oct 2016 · Kenya, Kenya
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Kenya West© @KinyanBoy
I THINK IT WAS A MISCALCULATION FOR NDII, GITHONGO TO BOYCOTT THE SUMMIT. SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA TAKE THE DEVIL BY FANGS
#ACCOUNTABILITYKE
3:57 AM – 18 Oct 2016
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james kamau muya @james_muya
#ACCOUNTABILITYKE I THINK GITHONGO AND NDII AVOIDED THIS FORUM BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LECTURE BY THE PRESIDENT
4:25 AM – 18 Oct 2016
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Wuod Awasi @Bettchile
GITHONGO HAS NO TIME FOR THIEVES. JUBILEE HAS RAPED OUR ECONOMY.@UKENYATTA #JUBILEESTOPYOURLIES
4:23 AM – 18 Oct 2016
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sam rere @musarek
#ACCOUNTABILITYKE WHERE IS THE OPPOSITION IN THIS DEBATE? GITHONGO? NDII? I’D LOVE TO HEAR THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY @KROPRICHARD@RUTHSUCHIA
2:41 AM – 18 Oct 2016
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The Nyeri Politician @ngunjiriwambugu
GOOD OF @HONADENDUALE TO CALL OUT NDII, GITHONGO FOR NOT COMING TO ENGAGE PUBLICLY ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS THEY MAKE AT#ACCOUNTABILITYKE
