Waiguru is a suspect, not witness in NYS saga EACC

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Halakhe Waqo has clarified that former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru was not a witness to the case involving the apparent loss of Sh791 million at the National Youth Service (NYS).

Speaking during an interview on Sunday Live, Waqo said the pronouncement by Waiguru’s lawyer that she is a witness in the case is faulty, saying the lawyer must have been doing his job and noting that the statement did not originate from EACC.

Waqo, however, clarified that Waiguru was not the only official targeted in investigations of corruption at the Ministry saying 18 other officials were also under investigation.

“Every member of the Devolution Ministry at that high echelon was treated as a person of interest, including NYS senior officials,” said Waqo.

Asked whether the commission would use the Directorate of Criminal Investigations report that absolved Waiguru of any wrong-doing, Waqo stated that they would use any information that could help in the case.

“We will use all the information that may help us in investigating allegations of corruption at the NYS,” he said.

The EACC boss further sought to rubbish claims that the anti-graft body is used as a witch-hunting tool, saying that they receive complaints about individuals then carry out investigations before forwarding those with a case to answer to the Director of Public Prosecution.

“Once we have information on individuals accused of corruption, we carry out an analysis, investigate then confirm if it is something that could stand trial before we progress to the DPP,” he said.

He noted that if there is not enough evidence for one to stand trial then they don’t go that far.

Waqo’s claims came weeks after a raid at the home of the Waiguru, former Devolution and Planning PS Peter Mangiti and NYS Director General Nelson Githinji in a bid to find documents that could help in the on-going investigations.

Armed with search warrants from the court, EACC detectives stormed the houses of the three, and other officials combing the houses for any clues.

Waiguru announced her resignation last month on health grounds under the advice of his doctor.

In her resignation letter, she said the fight against corruption had been personalised and accused some politicians of attacking her personal value and children.

Githinji announced his decision to step aside hours after he was named by the DPP to answer to claims of corruption at the NYS, while Mangiti was unceremoniously dismissed in a new Cabinet reshuffle effected by President Uhuru Kenyatta last month.

Mwanamaka Mabruki has been nominated as the new Devolution Permanent Secretary while Saitoti Torome was nominated as Planning & Statistics PS.