Kenya finance minister resigns

Kenya’s finance minister resigned after being named in a corruption scandal which threatened to damage the nation’s fragile new unity government.



Amos Kimunya stepped down yesterday, only days after he was quoted in a local media saying he would rather die than resign.



Kimunya has been embroiled in a scandal involving the controversial sale of government owned Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi, which was reportedly purchased by a business group below market price.



Kimunya is widely regarded as an ally to president Mwai Kibaki.



Kibaki recently entered into a power sharing agreement with opposition leader Raila Odinga, after a dispute over last December’s election, which led to widespread violence.



Under the agreement, Kibaki remained as president and Odinga became Prime Minister, the first time kenya’s government had both positions.



Mr. Odinga told parliament yesterday that he was pleased that the minister of finance deemed it important to step aside.