Nairobi — British MPs have been asked to debate corruption in Kenya and the resignation of Mr John Githongo as the country's leading anti-graft official.

A motion tabled this week expresses "deep concern" at his resignation and speaks of the sadness felt by many British MPs "by the apparent descent of sections of the current Kenya Government into the corrupt practices of the past Moi regime."

It was tabled by Labour MP John McDonnell, secretary of the UK's All Party Parliamentary Group on Kenya.

He said, in a statement issued from his constituency office in Hayes and Harlington, West London: "I was one of those who welcomed the election of Mr Kibaki as the President because of the promise of tackling the deep rooted corruption in Kenyan governing circles."

He went on: "That is why so many in the international community have been saddened by the lack of progress and shocked at the resignation of Mr Githongo."

And he concluded: "It is important now that all the friends of Kenya offer whatever assistance we can to restore the momentum of the drive against corruption launched by the President." His move comes in the wake of an appeal to the Kibaki government by ministers, pressure groups and ordinary Kenyans to decisively deal with corruption.

Mr McDonnell's motion states: "That this House expresses its deep concern at the resignation of Mr John Githongo, Kenya's leading anti corruption official, and is saddened by the apparent descent of sections of the current Kenya Government into the corrupt practices of the past Moi regime; and calls upon the UK government to offer whatever assistance is needed to support a return to the drive against corruption initiated by President Kibaki when he was elected with such public and international support and goodwill."

Every British MP is allowed to table what are known as private member's motions, which do not necessarily have the formal support of any of the political parties but express deeply felt personal opinions.

They are chosen for debate by lottery and it is not certain that Mr McDonnell's motion will ever be discussed on the floor of the House.

It was being seen as a clear signal, however, of the level of feeling in the UK both about Mr Githongo's resignation - he was in London when he announced he wished to step down - and the amount of interest in Kenyan affairs.

The resignation of Mr Githongo as Permanent Secretary for Ethics and Governance set off a shock wave that is yet to subside.

The man in charge of Kenya's fight against corruption resigned just days after the Government was accused of massive looting.

While resigning, Mr Githongo said he "was no longer able to continue serving the government" but did not give any further explanation.

His appointment was considered one of the more inspired ones made by President Kibaki after his election and his resignation has created a major credibility problem for the President and his entire administration, which is now being accused of paying only lip service to the war against graft.

British High Commissioner Edward Clay went on to describe Mr Githongo as a person of integrity, courage and principle, who was intensely committed to the patriotic task of clearing corruption out of government.

It was he who had sparked the fresh furore over graft when he told a journalists awards ceremony gala earlier this month that corruption still flourished within the Government.