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Crime & Investigations

Governor Sonko Arrested While Escaping Arrest at a Road Block in Voi

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was on Friday arrested while escaping arrest at a road block in Voi.

Sonko is being transferred to Nairobi to face charges of corruption and economic crime.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed that Sonko was escaping arrest.

Reports indicate that he was on his way to Nairobi from Mombasa when detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) waylaid him.

However, the flamboyant governor is being flown to Nairobi in a police chopper.

https://twitter.com/KiigenKoech/status/1202881777083310080?s=20

From Wilson Airport, Sonko will be taken into police custody at EACC headquarters awaiting arraignment.

charges that include willful failure to comply with law relating to procurement, conflict of interest and abuse of office.

Other charges are unlawful acquisition of public property, deceiving principal, money laundering and acquisition of proceeds of crime.

Sonko will also be charged alongside senior County Officials, private and business entities accused of benefitting from suspect county funds.

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Crime & Investigations

Ex-MP Elizabeth Ongoro, her husband summoned over Sh48m non-existent Kasarani school

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has summoned ex-Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro and 18 others in a Sh48 million Kasarani Girls High School graft probe.

DPP Noordin Haji has approved the prosecution of the suspects after an in-depth investigations by the anti-graft commission.

The commission established that the award of the contract for the construction of the school was awarded without due regard to the procurement laws, the school does not exist and that payments were made to different individuals and companies associated to National Government Constituency development fund.

Already two suspects who served in the Kasarani NG-CDF tender committee have been arrested over the ghost multi-million project.

The two are former Kasarani District Development Officer Kefa Omanga Omoi and ex-Kasarani CDF Committee member Jecinta Akoth Opondi.

The anti-graft agency has directed that the former lawmaker and 18 others present themselves to sleuths at EACC’s headquarters at Integrity Center immediately.

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Also to record statements include; Mwalim Rashid, Ruth Kanini Kitonyi (former Kasarani District development Officer), Silvan Onyango, Pamela Mudha, Nashon Odongo (former Nairobi provincial accountant), Claperton Ouda, Douglas Parshet, Vitalis Obunga Ogingo (former regional accountant, Nairobi), Fredinand Masha Kenga, Maricus Otieno and Peter Aming.

Others include Maurice Orongo, William Ogutu Weda, James Juma Ochieng, Peter Ongeyo, Charles Owino, John Obonyo owinga and James Miruka Dola.

They will all face nine charges of conspiracy to commit offence of corruption, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office, engaging in a project without prior planning, unlawful acquisition of public property and willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement.

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Politics

Sonko opens up on connections with Ruto’s company, how he paid millions

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has admitted to paying millions of shillings to Amaco Insurance, a company reportedly associated with Deputy President Dr William Ruto.

Speaking on Wednesday night on the Pointblank show hosted by Tony Gachoka, Governor Sonko rebuffed claims that the payment smacked of corruption.

“I paid Amaco. A company which is associated with the Deputy President, ” he said.

According to the flamboyant county boss, the Nairobi County government entered into a contract with the insurance company even before he became the governor.

The contract would see vehicles belonging to the county government of Nairobi panel beaten back to shape should they be damaged.

Sonko explained that Amaco sub-contracted panel beating to another company he said is owned by his friend.

He rejected claims that the award of the tender was flawed, saying that Amaco was subjected to a competitive and rigorous process before the tender was awarded.

The payment to Amaco is part of an ongoing investigation initiated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

According to the EACC, money was wired to Governor Sonko’s personal account by an individual who was given a tender by the county government of Nairobi, raising questions of financial impropriety.

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Politics

Duale’s Dual Citizenship Lands Him in Hot Soup

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Garissa Township Member of Parliament Aden Duale is yet again facing another hurdle after it emerged that he holds dual citizenship.

Activist Okiya Omtatah has written to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to probe members of parliament who hold dual citizenship, among them being Duale.

It is against the Kenya’s constitution for anybody with a foreign citizenship to hold any state office. 

Through his later to EACC, Omtatah has published names of eight members of Parliament and two senators who are suspected to be holding dual citizenship. 

He further requested EACC to disclose their findings within 15 days said that it is important for the lawmakers to adhere to the laws they expected the diplomats to adhere to. 

“In the spirit of adhering to the rule of law and applying the law consistently and equally to all, it’s of overwhelming national importance and public interest that our legislators submit themselves to the same standards they have set for diplomats,” reads part of Omtatah’s letter. 

Four MPs from North Eastern region are said to be having Somali citizenship  and they include; Adan Bare Duale (Garissa), Adan Haji Ali (Mandera South), Mohammed Dahir Duale (Dadaab) and Lagdera’s MP Mohammed Garane. 

Kamukunji lawmaker Yusuf Hassan Abdi and his Marsabit counterpart Safia Sheikh Abdi are said to be holding United Kingdom nationalities while Naivasha’s Jane Kihara is allegedly registered as US Citizen.

In the Senate, Narok Senator Ledama Olekina and his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika are registered as United States’ citizens. 

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Politics

Uproar as Name Of Dead MCA Appears Among Those Listed In a controversial Uganda trip

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has put Siaya County Assembly on spot after a name of a dead member was listed among those who travelled to Jinja, Uganda in February.

A report by the anti-graft agency indicates that Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) stage-managed the controversial trip after they travelled to the Kenya-Ugandan Border.

It is claimed that the MCAs only had their passports stamped and returned home without attending a workshop in Uganda on the said trip.

Upon their investigation, EACC were shocked that the late Mr Joanes Andiego Odongo’s name was included in the list.

At the time of his death, Mr Odongo was the Central Sakwa MCA who also served as the Majority Whip at the assembly.

The MCA died on May 17, 2018, after a long battle with liver and kidney complications.

He was later succeeded by his son Charlton Andiego in the subsequent by-election.

According to the documents in possession of the EACC, the late MCA made it to the trip and was paid all the allowances.

However, in their defence, the county assembly noted that there was an alleged mix-up in the names.

County Assembly Speaker George Okode told the Nation on phone that as a requirement for controls on foreign trips, MCAs were expected to get clearance from the Ministry of Devolution and while doing so, the secretariat that was organising the trip could have generated the erroneous list by mistake.

“When I asked the clerk, who keeps the records he told me that the list had been generated and sent to the ministry for clearance and it was only realised later that it had some errors, “ stated Mr Okode.

He further noted that they had all the evidence that the trip happened, including photos and video recordings of the training in a hotel in Jinja.

According to the document dated January 21 and signed by the assembly clerk, a total of 43 MCAs had been proposed to attend a benchmarking-cum-training at the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) in Jinja, from February 1 to 15.

During the stay, each legislator pocketed Ksh136,144 and a further transport allowance of Ksh10,000.

All the others were entitled to the same amounts apart from the Speaker who in the document is indicated was to receive Ksh184,346.

The EACC has summoned 41 Siaya MCAs to shed light on the controversial trip.

The ward reps are expected to appear before the detectives in Kisumu from Monday next week to be questioned and to record statements.

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Crime & Investigations

Revealed: Here is where Waititu was ‘hiding’ the whole of Saturday

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu hit the headlines on Saturday morning when he allegedly went missing when detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought him.

This followed an arrest order from the Director of Pubic Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji on Friday. The DPP ordered the arrest of Waititu and his wife Susan Ndung’u for allegedly receiving Sh51.2 million proceeds of the irregular tender awarded to M/S Testimony Enterprises Limited for road works.

However, early Saturday morning planned raid by (EACC) detectives to arrest the suspects failed to bear fruit after the governor, his wife and the others went missing.

The detectives camped at the residences of the suspects from as early as 5.30am yesterday but left empty-handed hours later.

Waititu finally got arrested on Sunday morning after he presented himself at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission offices in Nairobi.

But where was the Kiambu County chief all this time he was being sought?

Well, according to his lawyer Kipchumba Karori, the governor had been “out of town since Friday evening” when news broke out he was wanted for prosecution.

“He arrived last (Saturday) evening and he has presented himself now to the authorities. There was confusion,” he was quoted by The Standard.

He arrived in one car accompanied by the lawyer. He did not have the trappings of power that he usually enjoys.

Waititu’s wife and five others are now being sought after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered their arrest to face corruption charges. Officials said they expect them to surrender.

However, Haji while giving his consent for immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspects, exonerated Waititu’s daughter. He noted that the governor’s daughter had no case to answer.

“We find that she was a sleeping director and not active in the affairs of the company. Her explanation is reasonable,” said Haji on Saturday.

The suspects are to be charged in relation to abuse of office involving a tender worth Sh588 million and fraudulent acquisition of Sh221 million public property.

The inquiry relates to allegations of procurement of tender no CGK/RTPW/142/2017-18 for the upgrading of various gravel roads to bituminous surface in Kiambu County awarded to M/S Testimony Enterprises Limited.

The company was awarded the contract by the county government to provide services and supply goods by way of a request for proposal.

“A total of Sh74.2 million has so far been paid to the contractor. The company has therefore been paid Sh221.4 million, inclusive of the Sh147 million,” said the DPP.

The DPP said part of the funds were used by Saika Two Estate Developers Limited to purchase Bieneveu Delta Hotel Limited owned by Waititu and his wife.

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Crime & Investigations

EACC orders Waititu, his wife to surrender themselves

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has ordered Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u and 5 other county officials wanted in Sh588m graft probe to surrender themselves.

The anti-graft body has said that three suspects have already been arrested.

The Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji on Friday ordered the arrest of the Kiambu county chief and his wife over alleged embezzlement of Ksh. 588million public funds.

The DPP said he is satisfied with evidence against Waititu and 12 other suspects linked to irregular procurement for upgrading several roads in Kiambu County.

“I find that the award of the contract for Ksh.588,198,328.20 in respect to tender No.CGK/RTPW&U/142/2017-2018- for the upgrading of various gravel roads to Bitumen surface in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru sub-counties was skewed in favour of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd, and the county government officials were culpable,”the statement reads.

It adds: “The directors of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd were close associates of Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu Babayao, the Governor of Kiambu County. The total amount of Ksh.147,274,055.39 have so far been irregularly paid to Testimony Enterprises Ltd in relation to the subject tender.”

Waititu and his co-accused are to be charged with conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement and engaging in fraudulent practice.

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Crime & Investigations

Reprieve to Governor Obado as Court dismisses case

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Migori County Governor Okoth Obado has been facing misfortunes since last year with various cases haunting him. His troubles began when his girlfriend Sharon Otieno, a Rongo University student was murdered, making Obado the main suspect in the murder case.

Before the case could end, detectives from Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) were at his home in a graft case when they came across 8 guns in the home of the county chief, bring another case before him.

He has however been handed a reprieve after a Nairobi Court dismissed the firearms case before him.

The ruling comes after the investigations revealed that the county boss followed the right procedures in acquiring the firearms and he deserves security as he serves the people of his region.

In a presentation in court, the investigating officer confirmed to the court that the firearms confiscated from the governor was obtained through a legal means. 

He also asked the court to take lawful action after the Governor’s arms were taken away. Magistrate Joyce Ngadani has since directed the government to ensure that the governor gets back his arms with immediate effect to allow him to perform his duties without any form of fear.

The prosecution was also warned against acquiring any information in the name of trying to incriminate the Governor following the decision of the court. 

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Crime & Investigations

Governor Waititu takes EACC to Court

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has sued the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EAC). Governor Baba Yao wants EACC ordered to return all the documents it seized from his Thome and Runda homes last month.

Through his lawyer Oliver Kipchumba, Waititu says the seized documents include cheque books, log books and land titles.

He also wants the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission prohibited from future searches and seizures without hearing the affected parties.

The governor says on June 23, the EACC raided his homes and conducted extensive searches before taking away documents, among them title deeds and log books. 

“The search warrant was formulated and crafted in a manner that it was designed to be a catch fall trap and instrument that allowed the EACC to turn upside down and ransack my houses and belongings,” he says.

“The warrant, which was issued by a magistrate’s court, does not state the specific offences and crimes the commission is investigating in order to create a connection between the items seized and the offence purported to have been committed,” the court documents read. 

Waititu says the evidence before the court did not constitute and disclose reasonable grounds for the issuance of the order and warrant for search and seizure.

“I am not aware and I have not been informed of the investigations that are being conducted against me and I have not been afforded the right or opportunity to confront the allegations made against me.”

The governor argues that the subordinate court irrationally and unreasonably authorised for search and seizure “with a single sweeping blanket warrant that enabled the commission to carry out simultaneous and multiple areas of search and seizure”.

He also claims the subordinate court did not comply with directions elaborately set out by the High Court, anti-corruption and economic crimes division and that the warrants are illegal.

“No reasonable case was made before the subordinate court to enable the court to conclude that there was reasonable evidence of the commission of a crime by me. The search warrants given to the EACC to search my homes are, therefore, illegal because the offences and crimes were not particularised in the warrants,” the court papers say. 

Waititu believes the commission is on a fishing expedition as the search was conducted beyond what was authorised by the court. 

The search and seizure warrant was obtained by the commission on May 22. 

The case will be heard on Tuesday next week. 

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