UK stops probe on Anglo Leasing

Britain’s Serious Fraud Office has discontinued investigations into the multi-billion Anglo Leasing Finance scandal. In a statement, SFO’s press and publicity officer Jina Roes said investigations into the contracts secured by the Kenyan Government through Anglo Leasing and related businesses were stopped due to lack of evidence.

The investigations which began in July 2007, would resume if “evidence is received from Kenya.” “The director of the SFO has exercised his discretion to terminate the investigation as there is currently no reasonable prospect of conviction without the evidence from Kenya,” the statement received by the Nation, last evening, said.

It continued: “If evidence is received from Kenya in the future, the director will consider reopening the investigation.”

The fraud unit opened criminal investigations into a number of contracts between the Kenyan Government and business entities collectively known as the Anglo Leasing matter in July 2007. The investigations were conducted with the assistance of the City of London Police (Overseas anti-corruption unit).

However, the SFO said the case depended on mutual legal assistance from the Kenyan Government. The Serious Fraud Office is an independent government department that investigates and prosecutes serious or complex fraud. It is part of the UK criminal justice system.

Coming at a time when the country is facing scandals in the maize and oil sectors, halting the Anglo Leasing probe could also dampen Kenyan’s hopes of bringing to book fat cats implicated in graft.

The Anglo Leasing scandal is alleged to have started when the Kenyan government wanted to replace its passport printing system in 2002.

The tender was originally quoted at Sh588 million from a French firm, but was awarded to a British firm, Anglo Leasing Finance, at Sh2.9 billion. The firm would have sub-contracted the same French firm to do the work.

In January 2006, Former Ethics PS, John Githongo named the then Vice-President Moody Awori as one of four top politicians, with Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi, then former Justice minister, former finance minister David Mwiraria and former transport minister Chris Murungaru as being involved.

Efforts by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and other government agencies that investigated the scandal to bring the culprits to book have been futile.