Karua accuses Jubilee of perpetrating graft, denies BAT bribery allegations

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has hit out at Jubilee government over rampant cases of corruption.

While appearing on Citizen TV’s Cheche Show Wednesday morning, Karua claimed that Jubilee government has created a serene environment that promotes corruption by its inaction on those found culpable.

She stated that the loss of Ksh 791 million at NYS, which falls under the Ministry of Devolution, is a pointer to deep-lying rot in Jubilee government.

“We have just heard about corruption at the Ministry of Devolution, where National Youth Service falls. But this could be an indicator of other under dealings in other Ministries,” said Karua.

“The difference between corruption in the current and past regimes is that, in the past, government officials exaggerated budgets for projects while in the current government there is utter looting of public resources.”

Karua said that the high levels of corruption and the affidavits being sworn in by current and former government employees is as a result of competing interests between TNA and URP, which are the main partners in the ruling Jubilee coalition.

“Corruption has been in existence even in past governments, but the difference is that the frequency is high now, from pens that cost 7,000 to money being withdrawn from government accounts and deposited into individual accounts.”

“There is discord between TNA and URP affiliates, we are going to see more of corruption because they are trying to out do each other.”

By clipping the operations of the Controller of Budget and the Auditor General, Karua said, the government seeks to inhibit exposition of irregular dealings and ensure corrupt individuals escape scrutiny.

She also accused the executive of making attempts to paralyse the operations of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) by making it work without commissioners.

Karua further stated that there is need for EACC secretariat to be vetted to re-gain respect and trust from Kenyans.

She further called on Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero to step aside for allegedly giving Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi Ksh 200 million to rule in his favour in an election petition filed by Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu challenging his election as Governor.

President Kenyatta has since appointed a tribunal to investigate Tunoi following recommendation from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) committee.

BAT bribery allegations

On the allegations that she received bribe from BAT to influence trade-related legislations and dealings in its favour, Karua said: “I would call it a far-fetched allegation.”

“My campaign was the first presidential campaign to launch a fundraiser. An individual gave around Ksh 2 billion as a personal donation towards my campaign. I later heard that it was BAT money when the issue came up at The Independent (a UK Newspaper).”

Karua, however, denied allegations that the money was a bribe to make influencing legislations in favour of the tobacco company calling on those with evidence to come forward.

“The contributor said that he consults for BAT and did not say that the money had come from BAT. I did not receive any corporate donations,” added Karua.

Bribing ICC witnesses

She also rubbished allegations that she was behind the bribery of ICC witnesses saying if that was true Moses Kuria, the originator of the allegations, should present evidence.

The former Gichugu MP, however, refused to speak further on the matter saying she is seeking redress in court.

@benjaminwafula