Kenya fights against corruption: Githongo resigned

The US said on Tuesday it was suspending all funding towards &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/367/11602_Kenya.html' target=_blank>Kenya's fight against corruption following the resignation of Nairobi's top anti-corruption official.

John Githongo resigned on Monday, dealing a potentially severe blow to government efforts to convince donors that it is serious about fighting corruption.

The state-run Kenya &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/comp/2001/04/16/3633.html' target=_blank>Broadcasting Corporation said on its website that an unsigned statement from Mr Githongo's office said he could no longer work with the government, reports Financial Times.

According to the AllAfrica News, two key Cabinet ministers on a special committee set up to fight graft yesterday expressed their regret at Mr Githongo's resignation. Lands minister Amos Kimunya and Local Government chief Musikari Kombo described his departure as a blow to Cabinet efforts to tame corruption.

"As a member of the Cabinet sub-committee on anti-corruption, I see it as a loss to us. He knew what he was doing and he did it with the diligence of a professional," said Mr Kimunya. It was sad that the Government had lost a dedicated worker due to frustrations.

Mr Kombo said the PS's resignation left a gap in the war against graft but he said the Government would not give up the fight.

It was hoped that by tackling corruption at the top, all this would change. Mr Githongo, 39, was headhunted from Transparency International, an organisation that monitors corruption, and his appointment as Permanent Secretary for Governance and Ethics in the President’s office was seen as sign that the bad days were over.

For a while all seemed well. Salaries of many public servants, such as the police, were increased and the day-to-day corruption tailed off. Signs at the airport and most government offices declared "Don’t pay a bribe" and most people did not.