Francis Muli
Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru has been invited to deliver a public speech at Chatham House on July 4 about her perspectives on the successes and challenges of implementing devolution in Kenya.
Waiguru will be the third Kenyan leader to deliver a public lecture at the institution since last year’s general election. In October 2017, Raila Odinga delivered a speech at the institution whereas President Kenyatta delivered a speech at Chatham in February this year.
The event dubbed ‘Five Years of Devolution in Kenya: Towards Inclusion, Gender Equality and Accountable Governance’ will also see Natasha Kimani present findings from her research on gender responsiveness in county planning and budgeting.
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“At this event, HE Anne Waiguru will discuss her perspectives on the successes and challenges of implementing devolution, and Natasha Kimani will present findings from her research on gender responsiveness in county planning and budgeting,” reads the event brief.
Waiguru is the current Vice-chairperson of the Governors Council. She was the Devolution CS in Jubilee’s first term in office, but was forced to quit the cabinet in November 2015 amid the first NYS scandal.
The invitation has caused a myriad of reactions from Kenyans, most seeking to stop the session arguing that she does not reflect the true face of devolution.
Here are some reactions: –
Anne Waiguru engineered one of Kenya's biggest corruption scandals. She's been invited to speak about governance & accountability. How about executive impunity, stealing public funds & getting away with it?
@ChathamHouse https://t.co/ExTote07rG
— Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) June 25, 2018
Anne Waiguru may have misled @ChathamHouse And COG into getting invitation. She has a dubious reputation on this one. Email Eugénie McLachlan. Programme Administrator, Africa Programme emclachlan@chathamhouse.org.
Attach published links to Anne Waiguru's corruption scandal— Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) June 25, 2018
We could do this through whole day, @ChathamHouse .
Bottom line.
You cannot invite a person variously & publicity referred to a "thief" by her own friends in government, to talk about accountability and transparency. Council of Governors should suggest a replacement.— Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) June 25, 2018
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