A Kenyan government minister pleaded not guilty to a dozen counts of abuse of office on Tuesday, hours after resigning to allow for an investigation into a scam involving imports of untaxed vehicles. Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey was released on bail by Nairobi's high court.
In addition to the corruption charges, Kosgey was named by the International Criminal Court last month as one of six suspected masterminds behind Kenya's deadly post election violence in 2007/08. His resignation, the second high profile cabinet minister to quit in three months, was a sign that the fight against endemic corruption in east Africa's largest economy is intensifying.
Prosecutors told the court heaving with reporters and other cabinet ministers, that the 12 charges carry a maximum of 10 years in jail, if convicted. The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) alleged that Kosgey granted exemptions for the importation of more than a hundred cars older than the eight-year legal limit and waived taxes for them. He has denied wrongdoing.
"I wish to state that my actions in this matter are above reproach. I have committed no wrongs," Kosgey, the chairman of Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, told a news conference before his court appearance. "It is also important to note that no money was lost by the government in connection with these exemptions. It is not a case of misappropriation," he said.
Political observers said the rising number of ministerial scalps could force President Mwai Kibaki to reshuffle his fragile coalition government. Former Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula, a close ally of Kibaki, stepped down under pressure from parliament in October over allegations of corruption in the purchase of land for Kenyan embassies abroad.
Higher Education Minister William Ruto was also suspended in October after the high court ruled he should stand trial for fraud over a land deal. Ruto, also from ODM, is another official on the ICC list of suspects in the post-election upheaval. The ODM's parliamentary chief whip, Jakoyo Midiwo, said his party had been unfairly targeted by the commission.
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