Waiguru OUT? NYS Report wants ex-CS axed off Kirinyaga race

Former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru could be barred from contesting in the Kirinyaga County gubernatorial race should the recommendations of a report on the National Youth Service (NYS) Scandal be passed by the National Assembly.

The Nation Assembly began debating the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Report on Wednesday, May 17. In the report, Waiguru is accused of playing a key role in the complex racket that led to the loss of Ksh1.2 billion of taxpayer money in the form of fraudulent tenders and ministerial tenders.

Led by PAC Chair Nicholas Gumbo, a section of legislators are now pushing for those in the committee to be held accountable – this move coming less that 90 days to the much anticipated August 8 polls.

“Anne Waiguru should be barred from holding any public office if found guilty. Directorate of Criminal Investigation should commence immediate investigations and action taken against her,” said PAC Chairperson, Nicholas Gumbo.

The report calls for a comprehensive lifestyle audit of senior Devolution Ministry officials, among them ex-CS Waiguru and former PS Meter Mangiti.

Businesswoman Josphene Kabura and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen have also been mentioned in the report as individuals who collaborated with senior ministers to siphon money from the public coffers.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been directed to investigate their tax returns.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Patrick Ngugi Njoroge, and DPP Keriako Tobiko have not been left out either. The report recommends for investigations into why Tobiko chose not to open charges against former NYS Deputy Director General Aden Harakhe.

Harakhe was accused of conspiracy to defraud public funds, abuse of office an failing to follow the right procedure in awarding contracts to Bluestar Enterprise Limited.

On her part, Waiguru has come out to dismiss the recommendations of the report strongly, saying that it “does not hold any water to bar her from contesting the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat.”

Hinting at political foul play, the former CS questioned the timing of PAC’s move.

“That PAC report is already done with time, it has no consequence, and it is not here it is not there. Those recommendations have been said before and the MP’s are entitled to their opinions,” said Waiguru.

Orie Rogo Manduli has also questioned the motives behind the report, saying that the timing is suspicious – especially since it is coming just when Waiguru is readying herself for the campaigns.

“Waiguru will win the Kirinyaga gubernatorial race. The report is fishy. Why now?” answered Manduli when asked by Citizen TV’s Jeff Koinange during JKL show.

Anne Waiguru clinched the Jubilee Party ticket in the recently concluded primaries, and she is slated to battle it out with Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua.