MPs defend CS Anne Waiguru over NYS fraud claims

Jubilee legislators have come to the defense of Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru against perceived attacks by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In a press briefing on Monday, Nominated Senator Beth Mugo said Raila’s attacks on Waiguru are sheer witch-hunt theatrics saying the allegations against Waiguru were false and founded.

Mugo pointed at Waiguru’s decision to invite the Directorate of Criminal Investigation into investigating fraud claims at her Ministry as willingness to corperate.

“Waiguru should be left alone to continue with her good work which is appreciated by many across the country,” said Mugo.

She accused Odinga of double standards saying he did not resign over allegations of importation of Aflatoxin contaminated maize haul during his tenure as Prime Minister though several officers in his office stepped aside.

Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari also hit out at the ODM party leader saying it is through Waiguru’s initiative that corruption at the Devolution Ministry and NYS were exposed.

The legislators’ pronouncements seeks to dispel Odinga’s statement on Sunday calling for the resignation of Anne Waiguru over claims of fraud at her Ministry and the loss of Ksh 791 million.

In his address, Odinga claimed that Waiguru was in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) ‘list of shame’ released in March this year but her name was removed due to her close proximity to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On Friday, Waiguru announcement that investigations at the Ministry, carried out by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, had revealed the loss of Ksh 791 million in fraudulent transactions.

She announced that the DCI had recommended the prosecution of 21 officials among them NYS Senior Director Adan Harakhe, four officials from Waiguru’s Devolution and Planning Ministry and others from the NYS over fraud.

Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has admitted to receiving the investigation report from the DCI saying it will be reviewed by a team of prosecutors and a decision made based on evidence.