NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 25 – Two more senior officials of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) have recorded statements at the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission over the maize scandal.
Prof Gideon Misoi who was suspended from the NCPB as Managing Director and Sales and Marketing Manager James Cheruiyot Boit arrived at Integrity Centre at about 10am on Thursday and were questioned for about three hours.
They however declined to speak to journalists when they emerged out of the grilling sessions.
“No comments please, no comment,” Prof Misoi said as he boarded his vehicle.
The two officials were sent packing by President Mwai Kibaki two weeks ago alongside Permanent Secretaries Mohammed Isahakia (Office of the Prime Minister), Romano Kiome (Agriculture) and Ali Mohammed (Special Programmes).
The President said the officials would remain suspended for three months to allow for proper, independent and accurate investigations into the scandal which led to the loss of some 3.4 million bags of maize from the Strategic Grain Reserve in 2008, at the time the country was experiencing an acute food shortage caused by drought.
Former Member of Parliament and businessman Barre Shill who was named in the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) audit report was also questioned at 3pm on Thursday.
A senior detective at the KACC offices told Capital News that more officers suspended over the maize scam had been summoned for interrogation on Friday.
“Even those who have recorded statements may be required to come back,” the detective said.
On Wednesday, the three suspended Permanent Secretaries were questioned as detectives sought to establish if they played any part in the illegal sale of the maize.
“I am completely innocent in this issue, I have done my best and I will continue to do my best in serving this nation,” Mr Mohammed said when he emerged from a grilling session at KACC headquarters.
Asked if he had been unfairly targeted in the investigation, Mr Mohammed said: “I will tell you that in the positions that we are, we make decisions on the basis of the best available information at the time in order to serve the nation.”
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