Speaker allows debate on Artur brothers report

Names of powerful individuals in government are likely to feature in the House after Speaker Kenneth Marende ruled to allow debate on a report on the activities of the Armenian Artur brothers.

The report on their activities was tabled in Parliament in 2007.

Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara was given the nod to table and initiate debate on the joint reports by Justice and Legal Affairs Committee and that of National Security chaired then by former Kabete MP Paul Muite and Changamwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe, respectively.

Top-secret findings

Ms Martha Karua (Gichugu, PNU) also wants the government to present its hitherto top-secret findings on the Artur brothers hidden in a report by a commission of inquiry that was chaired by former police commissioner Shadrack Kiruki.

On Wednesday, Mr Marende said it was in order for Mr Imanyara to table the report although he was not a member of the committees.

The parliamentary report which was first tabled in September 27, 2007 gives evidence to show that the two so-called Artur bothers — Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan — were “conmen and drug traffickers”, who leveraged on the protection of “the high and mighty in government.”

Resign from jobs

It recommends that Environment minister John Michuki and the Head of Civil Service, Ambassador Francis Muthaura, resign from their jobs to open the door for investigations into their links with the infamous two.

Businessman Kamlesh Pattni, whose name keeps popping up in big-time scandals in the country, is also recommended for investigation.

Businesswoman Mary Wambui, her daughter Winnie Wangui Mwai and the former special advisor to President Kibaki, Mr Stanley Murage, are also named.

In the report, MPs have lined up 15 questions whose answers they are seeking  after their investigations.