Former Devolution Cabinet secretary Anne Waiguru’s affidavit implicating Jubilee supremos Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen in the Sh791 million National Youth Service scam has kicked up a storm in the ruling coalition.
The duo is now accusing Waiguru of being used to create instability in Jubilee. Duale, the National Assembly Leader of Majority, and the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Murkomen have been mentioned adversely in the scam but yesterday denied any involvement in the scandal and immediately claimed a political motive was afoot.
Duale accused Waiguru of being used by “forces” to destabilise the unity of Jubilee coalition. Addressing the press at Parliament Buildings yesterday, he, however, maintained that the coalition will remain intact despite the allegations levelled against senior members of the United Republican Party (URP)—a key coalition partner.
“We are not going to fall prey to attempts by some individuals to blame one side of the coalition. Waiguru should be answering (her accuser) Josephine Kabura’s affidavit instead of using others as human shields,” he said.
And speaking separately, Murkomen, while acknowledging that his law firm (Sing’oei, Murkomen & Sigei Advocates) initially acted for Ben Gethi who is also a suspect in the NYS scandal, he denied he was involved in any business transaction, contract or supplies to the NYS.
“These sideshows will not help in the quest for truth and accountability,” Murkomen, who doubles up as the Deputy Majority Leader in the Senate, said.
The statements by the two came hours after Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) and Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) told Duale and the Deputy President William Ruto’s personal assistant Farouk Kibet to step aside to allow investigations.
Keter, who claimed he has been vindicated, accused Duale and Murkomen of initially protecting Waiguru and actually pushing members to withdraw their signatures from his petition, which had sought to have Waiguru removed from office.
“The Jubilee leadership said it was supporting the government and Waiguru. Everything I said here has come to pass.” Sudi, who defected to Kanu recently, echoed Keter’s sentiments saying they cannot allow NYS to be swindled by one individual. Governor Ruto, on the other hand, said all individuals mentioned in the NYS scam should take responsibility and return the millions they allegedly looted.
Speaking at Bomet County Assembly grounds yesterday after attending the swearing in ceremony of Nyangores Ward MCA Andrew Maritim, Ruto said the government should ensure Duale and Murkomen are held accountable. He warned that the administration risked a one-term presidency should it fail to fulfill its pledges.
Waiguru, in an affidavit filed at the High Court, linked Duale, Murkomen and Kibet in the scandal that led to loss of millions of taxpayers’ money at the NYS. But Duale told Waiguru to stop the theatrics and carry her own cross instead of introducing political intrigues to divert attention from the real issues.
“She had better stop playing games with the theft of public funds in false hope that those who stole will escape punishment,” he said. He called on the Assets Recovery Agency, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the office of Director of Public Prosecutions to swing into action and freeze her assets to avoid loss of funds.
“She should address issues ranging from millions of shillings stacked in office safes, to the millions of shillings collected from basements of city buildings by her relatives,” he added. Duale said the former CS has been inconsistent in defending herself on graft.
“At one point,” Duale said, “Waiguru said she did not know Kabura and later admitted to knowing her in her affidavit,” he added. Duale, who was unaccompanied during the press conference, further challenged Waiguru to submit the evidence to investigative authorities.
He said her fate will decided when Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly will conclude their probe and present a report to the House. Murkomen said the issues raised by Kabura in her affidavit were immense, weighty and of great public interest which need straight and honest answers.
“At no time did I threaten, intimidate or harass any public officer or civil servant. I’m also not aware of any police report that has been filed to indicate I threatened anyone in the course of executing their duties,” he added.
He also rubbished claims he was part of the group that is claimed to have been orchestrating Waiguru’s removal from office. “Her insinuation that I was part of her impeachment proceedings could not be further from truth,” he added.
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