Ms Karua termed the sale of subsidised maize to brokers with no milling
capacity as irregular and a big scandal whose perpetrators should be
investigated and hounded out of Government.
"The truth of the matter is that the saga was a scandal; let us not lie
to Kenyans by saying otherwise. Indirectly, it was stealing public
funds," said the Gichugu legislator.
But Mr Ruto accused leaders of dishonesty in the fight against corruption.
"We have many challenges, but as leaders we must walk the path of
honesty in corruption and other problems facing our country," he said.
The minister said the problems facing the country would not be resolved
if they were tackled through deceit, dishonesty and intrigue. This was
in clear reference to the campaign to have him resign over the maize
scam. He spoke in Nakuru during prayers and fund raising for
Sachang'wan tanker tragedy on Sunday.
Jimmy Kibaki, however, did not specify which docket Mr Mbiuki should
take over although he claimed, "there were many ministers sleeping on
the job".
Claims of impropriety
The weekend pronouncements are widely seen as the final push for Mr
Ruto, who is besieged over multiple claims of impropriety at the
National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), to step aside and pave way
for investigation.
But Ruto maintains his innocence, terming the onslaught in Parliament,
spearheaded by Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale, as "the scandal that never
was".
Without mentioning Ruto by name, Karua said ministers should take
responsibility for what happens in their dockets and those mentioned
over the maize scandal should consequently resign to pave way for
investigation.
Her sentiments were amplified by Youth Assistant Minister Kabando wa
Kabando, who urged Ruto to follow the precedent set by other Cabinet
ministers and resign.
Karua said should those behind corruption fail to take responsibility
and resign, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga should be
bold enough and shove them aside.
Only then, Karua said, would the Government redeem its rapidly diminishing confidence among Kenyans.
"The problem is that even at the core of the Government, at the Cabinet
level, we lack political responsibility and that is why I am asking the
principals not to spare the rod on the corrupt," said Karua.
The minister said contrary to Ruto's defence that anyone is free to buy
maize from NCPB, the contention was on the sale of subsidised maize,
which the Government had imported.
"I heard someone say that anyone is free to buy cereals from NCPB. But
Kenyans' concern is on the sale of subsidised maize that the Cabinet
had agreed would be sold to millers to help bring down the cost of
maize flour," she said.
As a consequence, Karua said, the Government plan to provide subsidised
maize flour to wananchi has not been forthcoming as the maize was
irregularly sold to brokers, who in turn sold it to millers at a
profit. This pushed the costs up.
"The maize was sold to brokers and not directly to millers. That is why
we insist that there was a scandal. That is stealing public funds
indirectly. That maize was meant for millers only and it was meant to
help bring the cost of unga (maize flour) down. Let no one tell us that
everyone was free to buy the maize," she added.
Thorough investigation
Karua further urged the Speaker of the National Assembly to consider
thorough investigation into the documents presented to the House by Dr
Khalwale last Wednesday, saying some may be authentic even though they
do not bear official letterheads.
Last week, Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim ruled that only documents bearing NCPB official letterheads would be considered genuine.
Similarly, documents presented to the House by Budalang'i MP Ababu
Namwamba as proof of First Lady Lucy Kibaki's alleged purchase of maize
was similarly rejected by Mr Maalim. Mr Namwamba has since apologised
to the First Lady.
But Karua called for a broader investigation, saying some documents,
including notes, may not necessarily bear letterheads, and yet could be
authentic.
Mr Kabando, who is also the Mukurweini MP, said: "Some of these people
were very active in urging Kimunya to resign. Now they have been laid
bare and yet they are still holding on to office."
Karua and Kabando were speaking at Rutune Secondary School in
Mukurweini, Nyeri, at a function also attended by Higher Education
Assistant Minister Asman Kamama.
Jimmy was speaking at Kariakomo Holy Trinity Academy in Nithi, Mbiuki's constituency, where he helped raise Sh3.2 million.
"Your MP deserves a full Cabinet position. Besides being very hard
working, the Nithi vote was crucial to put Mzee (Kibaki) where he is
today," Jimmy said.
In Nakuru, however, leaders came to the defence of Ruto. Deputy Mayor
John Kitilit and Nominated Councillor Mike Brawan termed "witch-hunt"
and "misplaced" calls for the minister's resignation.
Mr Kitilit and Mr Brawan said corruption allegations against the Eldoret North MP were part of the 2012 succession war.
"Some people are uncomfortable with the minister and want him out of
the political equation before the 2012 General Election," Kitilit said.