Trevy Oyombra Grilling Postponed

The grilling of the alleged 'chicken-gate' scandal mastermind, Trevy Oyombra, which was scheduled for today by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials has been postponed.

Oyombra, who is a local agent of the UK printing firm Smith and Ouzman, is claimed to have co-ordinated the bribing of the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission of Kenya (IIEC) and Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) officials to award printing tenders to the U.K firm.

MAINTAIN INNOCENCE

Last week, IEBC Chair Isaack Hassan and Energy CS Davis Chirchir, who served as commissioners in the defunct (IIEC), were grilled by EACC detectives where they maintained their innocence.

Former KNEC CEO Paul Wasanga also denied claims of receiving a bribe to award printing tenders to the UK company.

Smith & Ouzman’s directors Nicholas Charles Smith, 43, and Christopher John Smith, 71, were found guilty for bribing officials of the IIEC and the KNEC boss to get the printing contracts.

Christopher Smith was sentenced to an 18-month suspended term for his role in the scandal while John Smith was sentenced to three years in jail by the Southwark Crown Court.

BRIBES

EACC investigators will also be pressing Mr Oyombra to disclose how much each of the officials mentioned received in bribes, if at all.

The commission is said to be scrutinising travel itineraries of the election officials for the period in question following revelations by the UK Serious Fraud Office that Smith & Ouzman paid their travel and accommodation expenses while they were in London.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on Friday said he would resign if charged with receiving bribes from the British firm.

By Tom Omulo.