Ruto jet probe runs into headwinds
PHOTO | DPPS Deputy President William Ruto is welcomed by Bungoma County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed on arrival for an interdenominational church service at Kapsokwony Primary School in Mt Elgon. Looking on are Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka (second right) and Mt Elgon MP John Serut.
What you need to know:
- Audit office says it is unable to prepare report on aircraft hire because the AG is yet to address pending issues on matter
The National Audit Office is at a loss on how to unravel the mystery surrounding the procurement of a luxury jet used by Deputy President William Ruto on a tour of four African nations in May.
In a letter to Parliament, the audit office said it was unable to prepare a comprehensive report on the controversy as there were still several outstanding issues, which Attorney General Githu Muigai says must first be addressed.
The office was to hand in the report to the Public Accounts Committee chaired by Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba last Friday.
“The promise to issue the report by July 26 was made on the hope that issues raised in our audit fieldwork and reviewed queries raised by various levels of reviewers, would have been addressed by that time,” noted a letter by Mr Dennis Kariuki, the director of audit.
Mr Kariuki heads the team, which is carrying out a forensic audit of the jet’s hire as requested last month.
“However, several issues are still outstanding and in the opinion of the Attorney General, they should be addressed before a report is issued,” added the letter dated July 26, addressed to National Assembly clerk Justin Bundi.
The audit office is seeking information on five major fronts: How the trip was initiated, information on the company that was hired to provide the jet services, records regarding the procurement of the jet services and details on the payment of the services.
The auditors are also seeking information regarding past travels by officials in similar positions and status that could assist them to understand the policy on the hire of the jet services by the government.
Shed light on issue
PAC has summoned three senior government officials to appear before them tomorrow to shed more light on the matter.
They include Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo, Secretary for Administration in Mr Ruto’s office Abdul Mwasera as well as the Registrar of Companies, who is expected to help PAC unearth the directors of a local company involved in the procurement.
