Key players in land deal that cost taxpayers Sh260 million

The following are some of the public officials adversely mentioned in connection with the cemetery scandal.

Mr Sammy Kirui

Before his appointment as Permanent secretary at Local Government, Mr Kirui was the managing director at Telkom Kenya. A report by the auditor general says that he approved purchase of the cemetery land.

Mr Reuben Rotich

He joined the ministry of Local Government after a career as powerful district commissioner in the Moi administration. He served in Kiambu, Mombasa and Kajiado districts.

The audit report says he recommended purchase of the plot.

Mr Herman Chevara (chief Finance officer)

According to the auditor general, after other Local Government officials approved the purchase, Mr Chevara allegedly instructed accounting officers to speed up payment.

Mr John Gakuo

He was the then Town Clerk and is adversely mentioned in the reports though many of the signatures were that of his deputy, Mr Nelson Otido, to whom he delegated leadership of the Council Tender Committee.

Mr Otido retired in December 2008.

Mr Gakuo is credited for the beautification efforts and paying salary arrears of council employees.

Ms Mary Ngechi Ng’ethe

During the transaction, she was serving as the director of legal services at the City Council. She is now a senior principal state counsel in the Attorney General’s office. She signed many documents in the deal. She was sent on leave last year when Town Clerk Philip Kisia took over.

Dr Daniel Nguku

He was the Medical officer of health in charge of Nairobi and a member of the tender committee that awarded the contract.

He has since been recalled to the ministry of health headquarters. Dr Nguku is accused of failure to stop the deal.

Mr Geophrey Katsoleh

He served for a short time as deputy town clerk after the retirement of Mr Otido who had signed many of the documents.

He also served as the acting town clerk before Mr Kisia took over in June last year.
He has been serving as the town clerk of Thika.

Mr Kanyi Njambura

He was the Director of Procurement at the time of the deal and also the secretary of the tender committee. A normally quiet man always keen to avoid controversy. Delegated duties to his deputy, Mr Alex Musee.

Mr Alex Musee

He was the deputy director of Procurement in charge of operations. Undertook most of the director’s responsibilities and was therefore in a position to raise queries on the deal.

Mr Karisa Iha

He is the deputy director legal affairs and currently serving as the acting director. His department gave legal backing for the transaction.