Lands CS nominee Alice Wahome. Photo/courtesy.
President William Ruto’s cabinet nominees found themselves hard pressed to explain how they will deal with cartels in their respective ministries during the vetting process.
Cartels, who operate in secrecy exerts influence in the public sector and often getting away with their vile acts of economic sabotage and corruption. It’s mainstream that some of these shadowy figures are officials in state departments which makes it hard to tame.
Appearing before National Assembly on Appointments, Lands and Housing CS nominee Alice Wahome revealed that cartels can buy their way in courts. She told the committee that amendments should be made to the Lands Act such that land registrar can effect cancellation of a title deeds which cartels have acquired fraudulently.
Cartels in the ministry of lands
“I have impugned some of {the} records because some of the records are clearly fraud. I have decided not to take the dirty laundry of the land ministry to court because some of the cartels are powerful and they buy their way in court,” Wahome said.
National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichungwah tasked Wahome to explain how she will deal with the cartels arguing that some of the ministry officials have in the past colluded with fraudsters to grab lands.
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In her response, Wahome said: “I will tackle the fraudsters, I have found myself locked in up in a property that clearly the records were changed. I was locked by goons even after being accompanied by police. I am taking this fight to the crime scenes and I will need support of enforcement.”
The former Kandara MP said that cartels don’t recognize the title deeds as they would go ahead to grab lands with valid title deeds. She said that some “land ministry officers have been part and parcel of procuring” fake titles and “some retired officers have been part of the cartels.”
Cartels in the ministry of agriculture
Agriculture CS nominee Andrew Karanja told the Appointments Committee that dealing with cartels is a big issues, but he affirmed that cartels will be out of business if he’s approved. He said he will put the farmers’ interests first.
“I know dealing with cartels is a big issue. But if approved by this committee I am giving notice to cartels that they will be out of business,” Karanja said. “Cartels thrive where there is lack of competition and openness, I will make sure that there is openness and the integrity maintained.”
Cartels in the ministry of Water
Appearing before the Appointments committee, Water CS nominee Eric Muuga acknowledged that if approved he will be facing cartels, and that he will uphold transparency and accountability as a way to fight the shadowy cartels in the Water ministry.
“The fact that I am about to face the cartels and corruption, I will put my stand public. I have diligently served in my previous positions. I have held transparency, accountability and my firm stand on corruption,” the 32-year-old cabinet nominee said.
