Devolution CS Anne Waiguru to be grilled by EACC

Devolution CS Anne Waiguru to be grilled by EACC

Embattled Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru is set to appear before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for grilling on the controversial document showing inflation of prices of basic items procured by her Ministry in the 2013 – 2014 Financial Year.

Waiguru, who has been accused of misappropriating funds or orchestrating the same, will be questioned by the anti-graft body for the first time since reports of financial impropriety rocked her Ministry.

Her tribulations began mid this year when details emerged showing that Ksh 791 million had been lost through dubious deals and flawed procurements at the NYS.

She later confirmed the loss of the monies saying she had invited the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the NYS accounts.

The DCI report revealed that at least Ksh 712 million was stolen from NYS by adding zeroes to transactions in the famous government IFMIS system.

Despite this, Waiguru remained in office as 21 officers from both the NYS and the Devolution Ministry were suspended to create room for investigations over their possible involvement in the scandal.

Among those suspended was Adan Halakhe, the Senior Deputy at the NYS.

Leaders mounted pressure on Ms Waiguru to step aside to allow for investigations but she dismissed the calls saying she was not part of the procurement team and that she had initiated the process of addressing the problem.

Last week, an asset register from the Ministry of Devolution for the 2013 – 2014 year showed that the Ministry procured items at inflated prices, something that has created a lift between political leaders including those in the Jubilee coalition.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has been under pressure to sack the CS or take political responsibility.

The opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) says the government is not committed to fighting graft and is applying the law selectively.

It has on several occasions questioned why the President was fast enough to suspend five Cabinet Secretaries including Eng Michael Kamau (Transport and Infrastructure), Charity Ngilu (Lands), Felix Koskei (Agriculture), Davis Chirchir (Energy), and Kambi Kazungu (Labour) and taking time to address the Waiguru case.

It’s now a wait-and-see situation as she responds to the anti-graft watchdog queries.

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