MPs Threaten to Launch Fresh Impeachment Motion against Health CS Sicily Kariuki over NYS Scam

A section of Members of Parliament have demanded for immediate resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki.

The five MPs want Kariuki to step aside over the Sh9 billion scam at the National Youth Service (NYS). Ms Kariuki was in-charge of Public Service Youth and Gender Ministry when the alleged scandal occurred at the youth agency.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, MPs Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Moses Kirimi (Imenti Central), Abdikarim Osman (Fafi) and Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North) threatened to move an impeachment motion against the Cabinet Secretary if she declines to step aside.

 “This is now the second theft involving millions of shillings at NYS, we are still wondering what the CS is still doing in office. She should take political responsibility,” explained Osoro. 

Last week, more than 30 suspects including Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Lilian Mbogo Omollo and NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai were paraded in court and charged in connection to the multi-billion scandal. 

 “Why is that the CS has not been touched to date in regards to the scandal? If we are serious we want to win the war against corruption, then we must go for the big fish not only parading small fish in court.  CS Kariuki must resign. This should happen like yesterday,” said MP Mwale.

MP Kirimi noted that it was impossible for a scam of such magnitude to happen in the Ministry without the Cabinet Secretary's knowledge.

 “As a CS there is no way she can escape responsibility.  She should tell detectives what she knows and even record a statement.  Nothing that can happen in the ministry without the knowledge of the CS,” he said. 

On his part, MP Bashir said the fact that Kariuki is yet to be interrogated shows there's no political will by top leadership to fight graft.

 “We fully support state and constitutional agencies to eradicate graft. Even as we do it, let’s not lose focus on big fish,” Bashir reckoned. 

In March, more than 170 MPs appended signatures on an ouster motion against Ms Kariuki after she suspended Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) boss Lily Koros over a surgery mishap at the facility.

It took the intervention of President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, who prevailed upon the lawmakers to drop the impeachment bid.