KENYA: Kenya's growing corruption scandal claimed its biggest victim yesterday with the resignation of the country's finance minister.
David Mwiraria, one of President Mwai Kibaki's key allies, was named last month among four ministers linked with a multimillion euro fraud designed to raise campaign funds for next year's general election.
In a resignation letter read live on Kenyan television, he denied the allegations made by John Githongo, the country's former corruption tsar.
"In order that my name be cleared and to protect the integrity of the president, the government and our country Kenya, I hereby voluntarily step aside," said Mr Mwiraria, adding that he would co-operate with ongoing investigations.
International donors have stepped up pressure on President Kibaki to root out corrupt ministers and officials as a swath of allegations came to light in the past fortnight.
Yesterday, anti-corruption campaigners and opposition leaders said Mr Mwiraria's departure was a significant step for a society where politicians tend to cling to power.
Patrick Smith, editor of the influential UK-based Africa Confidential, said: "This is the first brick to be pulled out of the wall and it makes it very difficult for the remaining senior members of the government mentioned in the Githongo dossier to survive."
Mr Githongo fled to England last year after receiving death threats related to his investigations. Details of his findings were leaked to Kenyan and British media last month.
In a 31-page dossier, he claimed that four ministers tried to block an investigation into a government deal with a non-existent company, Anglo Leasing, to supply passports, forensic laboratories and naval vessels.
Mr Githongo concluded the deal was a screen for diverting government money for political uses in next year's elections.
As well as Mr Mwiraria, Githongo named vice-president Moody Awori, energy minister Kiraitu Murungi and Chris Murungaru, who was sacked as transport minister last year.
Mr Mwiraria's departure will be a bitter blow to President Kibaki, elected three years ago on an anti-corruption ticket.