Prof. Kibwana Is The Best-Suited To Take EACC Chairman Top Job

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• Fortunately, the abductors did not harm him. They abandoned him at Ngong Forest in the  dead of night. A Good Samaritan rescued him.
• Some months before the unveiling of National Convention Executive Committee (NCEC) and National Constituent Assembly (NCA),  Kibwana, a  Professor of Law at University of Nairobi (UoN), had founded and launched  an Anti-corruption and good governance NGO,  Centre For Law and Research International (Clarion), alongside Smokin Wanjala, the current judge of the  Supreme of Kenya.
• Professor Winne Mitulah was one of the top scholars who joined Clarion and for many years she served as its   top think tank.

I have lately been reading stories and articles in a section of media that former Makueni Kivutha Kibwana is eyeing the position of Ethics And Anti-Corruption (EACC) chairman.

He is touted as the frontrunner but many would wait to see how he will overcome the threat posed by his perceived close competitor, maverick Citam Bishop David Oginde, who is reportedly enjoying the backing of powerful forces at State House.

After the Supreme Court upheld the victory of President William Ruto, Bishop Oginde played a key role in organizing the first thanks-giving prayer meeting at State House.

But in my considered view, I don’t think his proximity to seat of power makes him stand a high chance.

I remember he also interacted closely with former President Uhuru Kenyatta. This was however confined only to spiritual matters.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was among the top religious leaders  who presided  over Inter denominational prayers at State House.

I’m sure President William Ruto knows that the job of fighting corruption is not for faint-hearted.

It is more than just carrying the Bible and delivering good sermons.

Therefore, he would prefer a no nonsense and a hard nut to crack person to lead this war.

Of the two, Professor Kivutha Kibwana fits very well in this shoe.

I’m talking about this out of experience. I worked closely with Kibwana during the heyday of NCEC/NCA led mass action.

As a founder and a co-convenor of movement, he demonstrated a high level courage in advocating for a people driven constitutional reforms.

His efforts and those of other patriotic and gallant Kenyans bore the fruits a couple of years later.

Today, Kenyans are reaping the fruits of a new constitution that was promulgated in 2010.

Notably, the fight against official and high level corruption scandals was at the core of NCEC led agitation. As our leader, Professor  Kibwana would not cave in to pressure being exerted by President Daniel Arap Moi’s regime  to drop the ball.

He would not compromise on matters  of accountability and transparency and prudent management of tax-payers’ money.

At one point, he was abducted by members of a criminal gang suspected to have hired by then Westland MP Fred Gumo, a key ally of President Moi.

This happened a few minutes after he left a late NCEC meeting at the Movement’s office located along River-Side Drive.

Fortunately, the abductors did not harm him. They abandoned him at Ngong Forest in the  dead of night. A Good Samaritan rescued him.

Some months before the unveiling of National Convention Executive Committee (NCEC) and National Constituent Assembly (NCA),  Kibwana, a  Professor of Law at University of Nairobi (UoN), had founded and launched  an Anti-corruption and good governance NGO,  Centre For Law and Research International (Clarion), alongside Smokin Wanjala, the current judge of the  Supreme of Kenya.

Professor Winne Mitulah was one of the top scholars who joined Clarion and for many years she served as its   top think tank.

During his tenure as a governor of Makueni, Kibwana once proved that he cannot entertain corruption or underhand dealings.

When the greedy MCAs tried to arm-twist and blackmail him, he stood to his gun. He opted to resign and asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve the county as required by the constitution.

The President however resorted to mediating them. There was a clause that allowed to do this.

Kibwana did not change his position. He would not allow MCAs to steal or engage in wastage and mismanagement hard-earned tax payers’ money.

This explains why Makueni became the most developed devolved unit in the country.

Other governors used to troop there for benchmarking tours.

Kibwana is also a God fearing man.

I remember he is one who volunteered to pray when the Supreme Court upheld the victory of President William Ruto. He had joined a team of top lawyers, who represented Dr Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi, Gachagua, and successfully convinced the entire bench to dismiss Raila Odinga’s petition. I wish the Good Professor all the best.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a Writer and Commentator based in Nairobi