Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Waiguru is State witness, not suspect – lawyer

Anne Waiguru with lawyer Abdullahi and supporters outside the EACC offices. Photo/ MIKE KARIUKI

Anne Waiguru with lawyer Abdullahi and supporters outside the EACC offices. Photo/ MIKE KARIUKI

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 11 – A lawyer representing Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru now says she will be a State witness in the investigations on graft at her Ministry .

Speaking to reporters following a six-hour grilling at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Ahmednasir Abdullahi said that she is not a suspect and emphasized the need for the process not to be politicized.

He stated that due process should take its course and expressed hope that thorough investigations will be conducted and all guilty officials brought to book.

“The Honorable Cabinet Secretary is neither a suspect nor an accused person. At best, she will be a witness to this matter. It is not fair to politicize this process or point an accusing finger on anybody,” Ahmednasir said.

“The due process of the law should take its course and we will appreciate politicians especially who are at the sunset of their political career to stop politicizing or ethnicising this process,” he added.

Abdullahi pointed out that Waiguru has been unfairly accused and was traumatised by the accusations against her

“Anne Waiguru has been unfairly accused and has even been traumatized by these unfair accusations. At the end of the day, the due process will take its course and we are confident she has nothing to answer and not a single issue concerning her has been raised,” he stressed.

“We have explained to the investigators on how the Ministry works, who does what and what are her responsibilities. We are confident that at the end of the day, the real culprits will face the full force of the law.”

Waiguru arrived at the Integrity Centre at 12 pm, to the reception of dozens of youths who were chanting slogans in her support.

Many had banners with catchphrases expressing confidence in her.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

‘Waiguru is not a thief, mama ako clean,siasa ndio mingi,’ one stated. ‘Keter don’t try, otherwise we’ll impeach you.’

‘We want Waiguru to continue with the project,’ another slogan pointed out.

The group of youth were later joined by women with traditional garb who braved the rain, and long period to show their solidarity with the embattled CS.

Waiguru’s tribulations began mid this year when details emerged showing that Sh791 million had been lost through dubious deals and flawed procurements at the National Youth Service.

Details later emerged of dubious transactions at the Youth Enterprise Fund which are under investigation.

Last week, there was renewed controversy when Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti tabled an asset register before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament showing inflated costs.

Mangiti has since said the details were raw and misrepresented facts.

According to reports, Waiguru was the one who blew the whistle on suspicious transactions at the NYS that led to the irregular payment of the monies between December 2014 and April 1, 2015.

Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations showed that the money was fraudulently paid to three companies.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Devolution ministry is also faced with another corruption allegation after documents showed items were bought at highly inflated prices.

Waiguru distanced herself from the scandal arguing that she is not involved in procurement.

She said the PS should carry the blame since he is the accounting officer.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News