Cotu faults Anti-Corruption commission over Tassia probe

What you need to know:

  • The controversial project was the highlight of a verbal tussle between Cotu and Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi earlier in the year after reports emerged that the project might have been overpriced by Sh1.2 billion.
  • The project involved upgrading Tasia II Housing Scheme last year but has been riddled by controversy since Cotu raised the red flag at the beginning of this year.
  • On Tuesday the anti-corruption body denied it was not pursuing the case seriously, asserting that a report was being finalised and that those who took part would soon face the law.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has accused the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of failing to pursue individuals named in the Sh5 billion Tassia Project II scandal.

The workers’ union said the anti-corruption watchdog had not produced any report on its investigations almost a year later, despite promising speedy inquiry into the project early this year.

Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli on Tuesday claimed that investigations were completed in May but to date there was no report indicating any progress.

“To date, there has been no single information on the relevant files in regard to the investigations and any attempts to get information on the matter have been futile despite the many questions that Cotu continues to receive from our members who are seeking answers as to the question who was behind the scam,” said Mr Atwoli in a statement sent to newsrooms.

The controversial project was the highlight of a verbal tussle between Cotu and Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi earlier in the year after reports emerged that the project might have been overpriced by Sh1.2 billion.

CONTROVERSY

The project involved upgrading Tasia II Housing Scheme last year but has been riddled by controversy since Cotu raised the red flag at the beginning of this year.

Mr Kambi defended the NSSF board, saying it had done its work as per the law.

On Tuesday the anti-corruption body denied it was not pursuing the case seriously, asserting that a report was being finalised and that those who took part would soon face the law.

“We would like to ask Cotu to be a little bit patient. We are seriously pursuing this case. They will get our report soon,” said EACC spokesman Yasin Amaro.

EACC was called in to investigate top NSSF officials.

Mr Atwoli said they had been forced to try to seek direct help from the Director of Public Prosecutions in order to ensure the matter was fast-tracked.

Mr Atwoli said he had been personally interrogated by EACC four times since the scandal broke.

“One year down the line, both employers and workers continue to wait in anticipation for which COTU (K) has been forced to now write to the Director of Public Prosecutions to personally intervene in the matter