So, as expected, Mwai Kibaki suspended his Higher Education minister this Tuesday, William Ruto.
Kenya's president has announced in a House statement he has suspended him, after Friday's High Court ruling stating that he must stand trial over corruption allegations. A panel of three high court judges dismissed his plea that he would not get a fair trial.
The President appointed the minister for East African Community Hellen Sambili to remplace him.
William Ruto is charged with defrauding a state corporation of KSh 272 million, i.e. $1.2m (or £750,000) nine years ago over the sale of forest land.
Or according to the new constitution adopted in August, anyone facing criminal charges should not be allowed to hold public office.
Earlier this year, Ruto faced another suspension over another corruption scandal. He denies all accusations however.
Media say Ruto is a controversial figure in Kenya's coalition government that took power in 2008 after post-electoral unrest. He apparently intended to run for the next presidential election in Dec. 2012.
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