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Citizen Weekly

Sunday 29 March 2015

SUSPENDED MINISTER FAINTS IN TOILET

The man who once said that when it comes to corruption, he leads, apparently also leads when it comes to inability to absorb shock. Kazungu Kambi who spent the whole of last week lionising himself and meting to himself the penalty of being shot with a pistol by Uhuru Kenyatta should he be found corrupt, turned out to be related more to the chicken than the lion when the moment of reckoning finally arrived. According to sources in an exclusive Nairobi hotel, Kambi   collapsed in the toilet upon receiving official suspension letter from Uhuru. It took not a bullet, but paper to knock down Kambi.
A worker at the hotel speaking on tough condition she remains incognito said Kazungu on reading the presidential missive started sweating profusely although he was taking an iced soft drink and made for the restroom without even excusing himself. After almost a half an hour in the gents, those he left at the table got concerned. They dispatched his aide who knocked on the loo door without response. Alarmed, they forced their way in only to be met by the unpleasant sight of the minister slumped on the toilet seat with his eyes pale white and speechless. The letter that only hours earlier was on the highest table in Kenya at State House was now on the floor of a latrine soaked in what seemed a mixture of urine and water. Kambi was taken away walking groggily to unknown destination. The bills were still unpaid by the end of the day.
Before the fateful letter arrived, Kambi was engaged in farntic lobbying to have his name expulged from the list of graft. Another worker at the hotel claims that Kambi was actually on phone to probably one of his godfathers when he opened the letter.
That his godfathers as powerful as they are believed to be could not save his skin shows how acutely aware Uhuru is that a section in the cabinet is derailing his anti-corruption crusade. Indeed, there are those who say Uhuru’s advisers took the onus upon themselves and penned the step-down letters.
Kambi’s undoing, those in the know say, is his unrestrained appetite for underdeals at the National Social Security Fund. Even as Kambi exits, NSSF management is embroiled in a conspiracy to loot workers’ money through the Mavoko and Kenyatta Avenue so-called joint venture projects’ private-public partnership amounting to close to Sh130 billion.
The NSSF management headed by the CEO Richard Langat while riding on Board of Trustees’ minutes of 2010 approving the proposed development of Mavoko, Kenyatta Avenue and States House/Milimani plots, has proceeded through a restricted tender to advertise for the joint property development in Mavoko Municipality and Nairobi CBD and is set to  be opened on April 8 and 9 2015 respectively. Langat is also said to have recruited lawyers to handle cases without following procedure and who are paid millions. Fred Ngatia is allegedly one of the lawyers  mentioned.
NSSF as constituted now has no quorum membership to its Board of Trustees. It also has no feasibility study on the said projects to implement.
NSSF management has failed to involve the Public Procurement Oversight Authority or the cabinet. The decision by the NSSF tender committee sitting on  January 20 2015 to approve a list of 15 firms drawn from the previous lapsed and terminated tenders has raised heat. It is said the feasibility study will be done once the joint partners are identified.
Another minister who is not sitting pretty is Charity Ngilu. She is accused of being Raila Odinga’s spy in the cabinet. A move by Ngilu to attend the funeral of Fidel Odinga in Bondo when the entire cabinet had decided to keep off in solidarity with the president who cancelled the visit at the last minute and instead sent his Defence secretary Rachael  Omamo, who was heckled, did not go down well with key players in Jubilee.
At one time MPs threatened to initiate the removal of Ngilu from cabinet if she did not resign. This was after they approved a report that condemned her for violating the constitution following an acrimonious session rocked by bribery allegations, illegal, irregular and unprocedural acts of creating offices and making arbitrary appointments, promotions and transfers of staff in the ministry
It is said Ngilu had apparently fallen out with Majority Leader Aden Duale leading the onslaught. Another parliamentary committee had also put pressure on Ngilu  for allegedly encouraging land grabbing.
CIC chairman Charles Nyachae insisted that it was high time Ngilu resigned but Ngilu stood her ground and said the calls were baseless and meant to intimidate her.
This is not the first time Ngilu is facing same problems. During her tenure as Water minister, the EACC had recommended that she be prosecuted for abuse of office. The commission accused the minister of breach of trust and conspiracy to defraud the government after she launched a borehole which apparently ran dry soon after it was commissioned with claims that water had been ferried there in tanks to dupe the public. National Irrigation Board CEO Daniel Barasa’s name features in the ministry scams one which is awarding tenders to a female MP who allegedly is his lover. 
Transport cabinet secretary, Michael Kamau is said to be reportedly building the biggest luxury hotel in Nairobi that will approximately cost him Sh9 billion.
Kamau who is in the centre of the controversial Standard Gauge Railway scandal is building the hotel under his company Elgon Road Development Company where he is the leading shareholder and the chairman. According to sources, Kamau through the company is building Nairobi Radisson Hotel which is half way to completion.
The 244 room hotel will have over 10 conference rooms, a large ballroom, a swimming pool and a sun deck, a garden with a terrace and fitness facilities.
Where did the humble engineer get these billions from? Is it the from the kickbacks from the Chinese companies that he awarded the railway tender?
Cabinet secretary for Energy Davis Chirchir is also in the list of shame over corruption claims.
Chirchir is named as the recipient of a bribe in a case filed in a London court against a firm that supplied the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission with ballot papers when the minister was a commissioner.
It is said Kenyan election officials pocketed millions of shillings in bribes to award lucrative printing contracts to a British company over a two-year period, prosecution documents filed in a London court show.
The anti-graft agency is investigating officials over bribery allegations christened chickengate, estimated at Sh50 million and given between October 1 2008 and December 31  2010.
The UK court heard that he gave tenders for materials for by-elections in Shinyalu and Bomachoge constituencies in 2009. He is alleged to have played a central role in the controversial tendering process.
Court documents show that the Kenyan taxpayer paid dearly for the illicit dealings between senior Smith & Ouzman officials and the senior managers and commissioners in the defunct IIEC.
It has emerged that the donor community has piled pressure on Uhuru to fire Chirchir and has given hard conditions that donor funding to new and ongoing projects will be stopped until Chirchir clears his name with Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission. The energy docket is one of the departments that rely heavily on donor funding.
Chirchir’s appointment to the energy docket had initially met several hurdles. The parliamentary committee on vetting during a meeting at the Windsor Golf and Country Club was divided over his approval.
At the end Chirchir got approval thanks to the tyranny of numbers. The committee chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi questioned the competence of Chirchir to handle the ministry. “There is a general feeling across the political divide that Chirchir is not competent enough to handle the crucial docket. There is agreement that he should not be cleared,” said a source privy to the closed-door meeting at Windsor. Henry Rotich of Finance is now doubling as energy boss.
Cabinet secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Development Felix Koskey did not wait to be axed and tendered his resignation. His office is now in the hands of Industrialisation minister Aden Mohammed in acting capacity.
In what seems a message by Uhuru to Kenyans that there are no sacred cows in the purge, Michael Kamau was booted and his seat is now occupied by Health James Macharia who is acting.  Kambi’s ministry is now under Omamo.
Cabinet secretaries who fell like dominos include Francis Kimemia whom is secretary to the cabinet, Mutea Iringo, principal secretary for Defence, Nduva Muli, principal secretary of Transport and Patrick Omutia  principal secretary for Mining.
Others are James Teko of Water, Marianne Kittany who was the untouchable chief of staff in the Office of the Deputy President and Esther Koimet, the investment secretary at  Treasury. Koimet is linked to the Mumias Sugar scam.
Jane Waikenda who is the deputy head of mission, Kenya Embassy South Africa and Patrick Osero who is the chairman of Agricultural Finance Corporation are gone.
Silas Simiyu, managing director at Geothermal Development Company, Saul Wasilwa, managing directorat  Nzoia Sugar Company, Richard Langat, managing trustee NSSF, Evans Ngibuini, acting chief executive, National Water Conservation, Alex Kabuga, chief executive, Kentrade, Lucy Mbugua, managing director, Kenya Airports Authority, Charles Tonui, managing director, Kenya Pipeline Corporation and Allan Chenane, chief executive, Tourism Fund and Catering Levy Trustee have had their past deeds catch up with them.
Uhuru in his state of nation address to parliament said he had  a confidential report from Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission which was handed to him by chief executive officer Halake Waqo.
Analysts were quick to point that Uhuru had sidelined other EACC officials. The appointment to have the CEO present the list was brokered by Duale. EACC chair Mumo Matemu and other commissioners were in the dark.
Apart from Duale, another person who was aware of the names and the list is Kericho governor Charles Keter.
Keter has emerged a powerful face in Jubilee. It is said, DP William Ruto is grooming Keter to succeed him in Kalenjin politics in case the International Criminal Court finds him guilty. Keter is to serve as DP for the remaining years.
That Keter is close to Ruto is no secret. He is the only politician in Rift Valley who has been close to the DP’s family while attending ICC proceedings. Second, Keter has been instrumental in championing for the formation of Jubilee Alliance Party.
Together with Duale who is also allied to URP, it is whispered in the corridors of power that Uhuru takes their word seriously since he believes it is his deputy speaking.
Aware of how powerful Keter is, Nairobi senator Mike Sonko has befriended him. Months back, they were guests at a function in a school in Nairobi where they donated Sh1 million each.
Last year, Keter caused ripples in Jubilee when he stated that certain powerful individuals at State House had fixed the DP at the Hague and called for their sacking. Surprisingly, some of the names Keter mentioned feature prominently on the graft list.
According to Keter, the government officials he was referring to had gone to great lengths to send people to the ICC to give false testimony against Ruto. He called for the officials to be kicked out of government at once and prosecuted for their misdeeds, accusing them of betrayal.
Ruto’s lawyer Shyamala Alagendra linked Iringo, senior political adviser of Uhuru, Nancy Gitau and former Justice minister Martha Karua to the scheme to nail Ruto. In President Kibaki’s government, Gitau served as director of political affairs in the Office of the President while Iringo was deputy permanent secretary, ministry of Internal Security.
In Kipsigis politics, Keter does not get on well with governors, Paul Chepkwony of Kericho and Isaac Ruto of Bomet. Keter’s hand was seen in a plot to impeach Chepkwony last year which failed. Another person marked by Keter is Kuresoi South MP Zachayo Cheruiyot. Last Friday before Uhuru gave his speech in parliament, officers from EACC were at the Lavington home of Cheruiyot at 8am in a bid to unearth the Anglo-Leasing scam and how he acquired his Nairobi house.
Come in the afternoon, Guv Rut’s name was among those on Uhuru EACC list.
It is against this backdrop that politics is seen as a key factor in the composition of the list. In fact, it is said, the inclusion of cabinet secretaries, parastatals chiefs and other government officials and legislators was just to hoodwink Kenyans.
Political analysts say, coming just days after Jap had lost the Kajiado Central by-election, those mandated to deliver the seat had to work on the diversionary tactics to escape Uhuru’s wrath on the loss.
It is also said in other quarters that the release is aimed at avoiding the media coverage of happenings in Rift Valley politics which is on fire. Kalenjin tycoons are re-grouping to raise funds and engage DP in political fights across the region. Fearing for Ruto’s future and the growing rebellion, politicians seen to be wining and dining with his enemies need to be checkmated. It is on these grounds, Nandi MP Alfred Keter name features.
We have information, even within the DP’s inner cabinet, a rift has erupted with accusation and counter accusations flying left, right and centre. As a result, witch-hunting is taking centrestage. Due to this infighting, faction has implicated cabinet secretaries and parastatals chiefs in dirty deals. Insiders say those implicated include Koskei after they had failed to share proceeds from multi-million deals with a section based at Harambee Annex, Ruto’s official office.
Koskei working in cahoots with Keittany are said to have been protecting sugar daddies involved in the importation of multi-billion shillings illegal-sugar. A coast-based import and export firm, Rising Star, associated with tycoon Ali Punjani is said to have pocketed Koskei and his cronies at Agriculture ministry.
Also said to be on Koskei’s protection list is Mohammed Sajjad. Sajjad’s name was linked to various scandals during the Moi era. Recently, his name was linked to the feuds at EACC. At EACC, Sajjad’s godfather is the CEO Waqo and in the corridors of power, he has Duale.
Sajjad’s firm is said to have been awarded a lucrative tender to import fertiliser by the Agriculture ministry. Koskei is said to have been mean and never shared the killing with who is who is the corridors of power apart from  Maryanne.
Aware powerful forces are not on his side, Koskei last week decided to step aside. It is not known whether Kenya Pipeline CEO Charles Tanui has differed with his political godfathers. Tanui’s name has featured prominently in the controversial awards of the construction of Mombasa-Nairobi Pipeline.
Various powerful individuals are said to have fronted their favoured firms in the pipeline tenders.
Back to politics, information filtering in is that, Uhuru upon being briefed that majority of governors linked to the scam were from Cord side had to capitalise on. Senators James Orengo and Johnson Muthama name feature.
For governors, apart from Bomet’s Ruto, Cyprian Awiti, Homa Bay,, Peter Munya, Meru, Ukuru Yatani, Marsabit, Evans Kidero, Nairobi, Alfred Mutua, Machakos and Godana Doyo.
Duale and Waqo are said to be fronting their allies to run for 2017 against Godana Doyo and Ukur Yatani.
Munya’s troubles have to do with his association with Pesa Mashinani. He is set to replace Ruto as the chairman of governors council. Why Narok governor Samuel Tunai and Martin Wabora of Embu  did not feature in the list has left many guessing. Also spared is Wajir governor.
For Kidero, he is marked together with senator Muthama as key financiers of the opposition Cord and hence need to be tamed. Muthama’s bank accounts have been traced to Switzerland. For Kidero, he is accused of financing the Mathare by-election and the recent Kajiado Central one which Jubilee lost to Cord. A list of fundraising for Kajiado by-election has landed at EACC.
Cord is also said to have spent tens of millions of shillings in the by-election with majority of the funds raised through a funds drive organised by ODM’s director of elections Junet Mohammed. During the harambee at Nairobi City Hall, Raila contributed Sh1m from ODM and Sh500,000 from himself, Kidero, Sh1m, Kalonzo, Sh500,000, Wetangula Sh300,000, Awiti, Sh500,000, Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho, Sh500,000, Siaya Governor Amoth Rasanga, Sh500,000, Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, 200,000 and Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya contributed Sh500,000 amoing other contributors.
Other notable contributors were Paul Otuoma, Elizabeth Ongoro, Steve Kariuki, Nairobi ODM chair and former mayor George Aladwa among others. Conspicously absent were ODM secretary general Ababu Namwamba and party chairman John Mbadi.
For parliamentary    committee members, the list is said to be ambiguous. For those in agriculture committee it has not come out in open to implicate a specific MP. For public accounts committee chaired by Namwamba, it is said to be corrupt with majority being implicated.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
1.  Ababu Namwamba  – chairperson
2.  Cecily Mbarire  – vice chairperson
3.  Joseph Manje
4.  Jude Njomo
5.  Joel Onyancha
6.  Kareke Mbuiki
7.  Gonzi Rai
8.  Julius Melly
9.  Jackson K. Rop
10.  James Bett
11.  Fathia Mahbub
12.  Mathias Robi
13.  Stephen Manoti
14.  John Sakwa
15.  Arthur Odera
16.  Omondi Anyanga
17.  Junet Sheikh Nuh
18.  John Mbadi
19.  Kyengo Katatha Maweu
20.  Silvance Onyango Osele
21.  Manson Nyamweya
22.  Alice Nyanchoka Chae
23.  Mwadime Andrew
24.  Abass Ahmed Ibrahim
25.  Geni Charles Mong’are
26.  Jessica Mbalu
AGRICULTURE LIVESTOCK AND COOPERATIVES
1.  Adan Mohamed Nooru  – chairperson
2.  Kareke Mbiuki  – Vice chairperson
3.  Kabando Wa Kabando
4.  Raphael Letimalo
5.  Mary Wambui
6.  Francis Waititu
7.  Peter Gitau
8.  Maison Leshoomo
9.  Anthony Kimani
10.  Alfred Keter
11.  Justice Kemei
12.  Philip Rotino
13.  Korei Ole Lemein
14.  Silas Tiren
15.  Benjamin Washiali
16.  Ayub Savula
17.  Victor Munyaka
18.  John Serut
19.  Millie Odhiambo
20.  Fredrick Outa
21.  Maanzo Daniel Kitonga
22.  Opiyo Wandayi
23.  Patrick Wangamiti
24.  Frednard Wanyonyi
25.  Florence Mwikali Mutua
26.  Sulekha Hassan Juma
27.  John Kobado 
28.  Paul Simba Arati
29.  Hezron Awiti Bollo

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