EACC commissioner denies pushing for Kinisu’s removal

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) commissioner, Rose Mgoi Macharia, has filed an application in court opposing the grounds raised by an earlier application by activist Okiya Omtata accusing her of having a hand in the push to remove the anti-graft boss Phillip Kinisu from office.

Macharia says that the application by Omtata has no merit and should be dismissed.

“Having been appointed under the procedure laid out in Section 6 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act 2011, the allegations made against me have already been considered and determined as being baseless and without merit,” she argued.

In her response filed Wednesday at the Milimani Law Courts, Macharia said that the court has no jurisdiction to hear and determine the application by Omtata.

Omtata wants EACC deputy CEO, Michael Mubea, and commissioner Macharia be named as respondents and not interested parties saying that the change is necessary so as to enable him demonstrate to the court that the crisis at the EACC is fueled by the two, who are threatened by the changes being fronted by Kinisu.

Omtata further alleges that Mubea protected four companies at the center of the Anglo-Leasing scam.

He says there exist correspondence between Mubea and M/s VA Nyamodi and Co Advocates on behalf of the four Anglo Leasing companies – Sound Day Corporation, Apex Finance, Globetel Incorporated and Midland Finance Securities.

Omtata says Mubea usurped the powers of the commission to reach a plea-bargain settlement with the suspects.

In the main application, Omtata wants Mubea compelled to make a full disclosure about 50.4 million shillings . The money was allegedly paid to him in April last year through a law firm.