By SIMON SIELE 

Nine MPs, all but one from Kanu, have urged the Government to stop harassing former President Moi over corruption.

They said the anti-graft crusade should include the Kenyatta era to demonstrate the Government's commitment.

Mr Peter Owidi of Narc and Kanu's Nicholas Biwott, Henry Kosgey, Nick Salat, Musa Sirma, Philip Rotino, Joseph Korir, Moses Cheboi and Amina Abdallah said Mr Moi should be protected.

Mr Owidi, without naming names, said some senior Government officials were tarnishing the former president's name by using the Judiciary.

"These people should stop dragging the name of Mr Moi into matters touching on corruption because even during the Kenyatta era, some people amassed wealth through corruption," he said.

He alleged that Kabete MP Paul Muite was being groomed to succeed President Kibaki after the end of his five-year term.

"Some people are floating Mr Muite's name and yet he cannot get votes in the whole country, nor can he solve the national political equation," Mr Owidi said.

The ongoing negotiations between LDP and Kanu, he noted, had made some Narc MPs jittery, hence the attempts to scuttle the constitutional talks.

Mr Owidi, who represented Lands assistant minister Orwa Ojode at a fund raising meeting for Kapkoi Secondary School in Kuresoi constituency, said what the country needed was unity.

The MPs opposed a referendum for the draft constitution, saying the contents were the people's views and they should not be consulted again.

Mr Biwott said Mr Moi should be left alone to enjoy his retirement. "Mr Moi ruled for 24 years and since Kanu accepted defeat, we should forget all our past differences and work together as we wait for our next turn," he said.

Mr Nick and Mr Sirma asked Local Government minister Karisa Maitha to immediately implement the councillors' pay deal.

Comments\Views about this article