The probe was headed by Justice and Legal Affairs committee vice-chairperson Priscilla Nyokabi after the substantive chairman, Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, was said to have an interest in the matter.
When Keino appeared before the Senate Committee on Legal Affairs she met Chepkonga and the President’s Advisor on Constitutional Affairs Abdikadir Mohammed at a meeting held at the Solicitor-General’s office where she was unsuccessfully persuaded to resign in return for a diplomatic appointment.
The committee in looking at the allegations against the duo met Matemu, Keino, EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo, and Commission on Administration of Justice officials and petitioner Oriaro.
The House team noted that the problem at the commission are attributable to poor working relationships between the commissioners and the secretariat which was worsened when two commissioners wrote to the President accusing their chairman of high-handedness.
Keino has confessed that she and Jane Onsongo were duped by Waqo and suspended Deputy Chief Executive Officer Michael Mubea into writing and signing a letter for the removal of Matemu from office that would be sent to the President.
“After signing the letter and there was no evidence forthcoming from Mr Halakhe and Mr Mubea, they recanted the letter. With their levels of education and professional qualifications (Keino and Onsongo) and holding such high profile offices in the country, their action to write and sign the letter and later recant it for lack of evidence was not expected of them and was unacceptable,” the committee notes in their report.
Lack of prosecution of high-profile corruption cases by the EACC has also been cited as a reason for supporting the petition. The committee noted that both Matemu and Keino have not successfully prosecuted high profile cases since they were appointed to office.
“There is evidence on record that Ms Keino has been out to protect suspects by telling the secretariat to go slow on the Anglo-Leasing and the Geothermal Development (GDC) investigations.” the committee report reads.
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