Kenyan corruption chief resigns

Kenya's much-criticised anti-corruption chief has resigned just weeks after he was reappointed by the president.

Aaron Ringera said he was stepping down in the best interests of the country, Reuters news agency reports.

President Mwai Kibaki had wanted the retired judge to serve a second five-year term as head of the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission.

But earlier this month, MPs said his proposal was illegal and refused to accept the appointment.

Correspondents say Mr Ringera has come under fire from Kenyans for not doing enough to tackle corruption.

The KACC head is Kenya's best-paid civil servant, earning 2.5m shillings ($34,000; £21,000) a month - a higher salary than the president.

Mr Kibaki reappointed Mr Ringera without consulting MPs earlier this month, immediately sparking protests from some politicians and anti-corruption campaigners.

Aid donors accused the president of failing to keep his promises to tackle the rampant corruption in Kenya.

Since Mr Kibaki took office in 2002, no senior officials have been convicted.

Mr Ringera has previously defended the lack of convictions by saying he did not have the powers to prosecute those accused of corruption.

BBC Online, Sep. 30th, 2009