In one way or another it’s now estimated that at least nine Kenyan ministers are under investigation by Parliamentary Investigating Committees. Moses Wetangula has already had to stand down as Foreign Minister over questions of how some of the Ministry’s properties were bought and sold around the world.

The new Constitution states that anyone linked to corruption or ‘economic crimes’ will not be allowed to hold public office. So it seems good news that corruption will no longer be tolerated in modern Kenya, post-adoption of the new constitution. Yes, good news, possibly…

Emgwen MP Elijah Lagat takes a different view, claiming that some of the cases of alleged corruption have been brought up because of a ‘tribal witch hunt and political party issues’ (The Nation, 02/11/2010). “There are those who are using all the dirty tricks in the book to malign others for selfish political ends”, Lagat is reported to have said.

He’s got a point, surely? It seemed a good idea that anyone embroiled in an investigation should have to stand down but not, with hindsight, if it just means the politicians use any excuse to throw mud at their opponents knowing that if enough of it sticks they’ll be out. What happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’ anyway?

What’s the Forum’s view (that’s you)? Should they stay or should they go now? The elixir of the new transparency, or old wine in a new bottle?