Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

NYS chief Githinji questioned by EACC over Sh791m theft

Githinji who said he was called upon to, “shed light,” on the loss of funds was unaccompanied by a lawyer but appeared keen to avoid the glare of the cameras/FILE

Githinji who said he was called upon to, “shed light,” on the loss of funds was unaccompanied by a lawyer but appeared keen to avoid the glare of the cameras/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9 – National Youth Service Director General Nelson Githinji says he’s committed to, “cleaning up,” the institution.

He made the pledge on Friday as he left the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) headquarters at Integrity Centre in Nairobi where he’d spent close to four hours being, “interviewed,” – as he put it – over Sh791 million stolen from the institution under his watch.

Githinji who said he was called upon to, “shed light,” on the loss of funds was unaccompanied by a lawyer but appeared keen to avoid the glare of the cameras.

He arrived at Integrity Centre at 2pm and was shielded from the cameras by his vehicle.

When he left the building, he appeared to shield himself behind a pillar before finally answering questions from behind the passenger side door.

He was however very guarded with his answers, keeping them vague when asked to elaborate on the theft of the funds, “you’ve reported on that,” and when asked about his working relationship with his boss and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, “I’ve already gone on record on that,” he said.

What little he did say was that he did not regret leaving the private sector for public service even in the face of scandal. “There’s corruption everywhere.”

Githinji left Coca-Cola to become State House Comptroller during President Mwai Kibaki’s term in office.

On receipt of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations findings on the theft of the aforementioned funds, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the EACC be involved.

“The investigation carried out by the CID is limited only to offences under the Penal Code. However, the evidence in the file discloses possible offences under Proceeds of Crime and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. These offences have not been investigated,” he said in a press statement on September 25.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

He also instructed that Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru record a statement given it was she who invited the DCI to investigate suspect transactions at the NYS.

In the file forwarded to him, the DCI recommended the prosecution of 22 government officials.

“From the evidence, huge deposits were made to and withdrawals made from bank accounts belonging to several suspect companies and individuals,” Tobiko said in his statement.

“All these accounts are domiciled in Family Bank, KTDA branch,” he elaborated.

But according to Githinji as he left the EACC offices on Friday, “their investigations are still at an early stage yet.”

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News