Ngilu ignores KACC threat summons

Emma Nzioka | NATION
Minister for Water and Irrigation Charity Ngilu, leaves the CID headquarters on October 17, 2011 after reporting accusations against her by KACC. On her left is Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo.

What you need to know:

  • KACC should not investigate criminal cases

Water and Irrigation minister Charity Ngilu snubbed summons by Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission detectives over accusations that she threatened investigators.

She instead presented herself to the police on Monday and asked them to take up the matter, arguing that KACC had no mandate to investigate the allegations made against her.

KACC accused the minister of issuing threats to its detectives who investigated corruption scandals in her ministry.

According to letters she displayed to journalists, the MP for Kitui Central denied having threatened investigators.

While Mrs Ngilu wants the Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the issue thoroughly, she blamed politics for her predicament. (READ: Ngilu blames political rivals for her woes)

“They (KACC officials) have been used badly by politicians to settle political scores and we know very well who is doing this. We’ve seen statements made by different leaders. This is not something I can just sit and make a statement to the same people (KACC detectives) who are saying they have been threatened,” said Mrs Ngilu.

KACC wrote three letters dated October 3, 10 and 14, asking her to present herself to them to help with investigations.

The minister had her statement recorded at the CID headquarters in the afternoon.

Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo, who accompanied her to the CID headquarters, said that making threats was criminal and should not be handled by KACC which is mandated to investigate economic crimes.

“Government officers should not to be used by politicians to fight political wars. The Constitution is clear that KACC has no mandate to investigate any issue of criminal nature. It’s a province of the CID and we are here,” he told journalists.

KACC letters were signed by Mr P. Mwangi, on behalf of the secretary, who is the chief executive officer for the yet to be created Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Officers who served in the disbanded KACC have continued with investigations awaiting the new body to replace them.

“They (KACC officials) had made deals with some people who they had promised to finish my political career,” said the minister.

Mr Kilonzo and Mrs Ngilu linked the threats claim to the corruption investigation.

“KACC is being pushed by the same person who was also concerned with the water investigation,” said Mrs Ngilu.

At the same time, the minister revisited a January incident in which two unknown people entered her room while she was admitted to hospital.

She said that she had since identified them and wanted police to take action.

“They are always with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka. He must come and record a statement here. Police have promised to investigate,” she said.

In response, an aide at the VP’s office said, “These (allegations) could be adverse if they were coming from somebody else but coming from minister Ngilu that’s crying wolf.”

The two also claimed the investigations could be linked to Ukambani supremacy politics.