Ngilu Grilled By Anti Corruption Detectives

Ngilu, stepped aside as Lands Cabinet Secretary to pave way for investigations into corruption allegations facing her.

Ngilu is appearing before EACC to respond to claims that she directed ministry valuers to inflate the value of a 930-acre land belonging to Evanson Waitiki and was to receive a 65 million shilling bribe.

The land in Likoni is valued at 9.3 million shillings but was to be sold for 110 million shillings and she is also to  be grilled over dealings on eight billion shilling Karen land saga and a parcel of land along the State House crescent.

However, Ngilu refuted the allegations, accusing unnamed powerful forces of being behind her woes in the lands ministry. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta asked cabinet secretaries named in a report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to step aside and pave way for investigations.

Other Cabinet Secretaries who complied with the President's directive include Eng Michael Kamau of Transport, Kambi Kazungu of Labour, Felix koskei of Agriculture and Davis Chirchir of Energy.

Other senior State officers and Principal Secretaries that have complied with the President's directive to step aside include Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia, Principal Secretary for Defence Mutea Iringo, Principal Secretary State Department of Transport Nduva Muli, Principal Secretary for Mining Patrick Omutia, Principal Secretary State Department of Water James Teko, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Deputy President Marianne Kittany and the Investment Secretary Treasury Esther Koimett.

Former Director of Immigration Jane Waikenda, who is the deputy head of Mission at the Kenya Embassy in South Africa, also stepped aside.

By Tom Omulo.