AG hands Anglo Leasing files to Swiss ambassador
Attorney General Githu Muigai on Thursday handed over dozens of Anglo Leasing-related files to the Swiss ambassador, Mr Jacques Pitteloud.
Prof Muigai said Swiss investigators will use the information to dig further into the multi-billion-shilling scandal with the possibility of prosecuting the individuals involved.
The Attorney General also said five individuals may soon face prosecution in local courts over their involvement in the Sh18 billion scandal.
He did not name the individuals whose information had been given to the Swiss, only saying they had “a dozen box files of information.”
According to Prof Muigai and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), investigations on the five "live files" are at the “tail end” and once investigations are over, the individuals will be prosecuted.
“The EACC is investigating five live files and the investigations are now at the tail end. Within a very short while, we will be able to say who will be prosecuted,” said Prof Muigai.
MONEY LAUNDERING
The transfer of the files comes two days after businessman Deepak Kamani asked a court to stop the government from giving information to Switzerland over Anglo Leasing-related contracts.
Mr Kamani, his father Chamanlal Kamani and brother Rashmi Kamani wanted the court to bar the Attorney General from acting on a request by the Swiss federal attorney for information about them over money laundering and dealings with firms implicated in the Sh18 billion contracts.
Switzerland alleges that the three were involved in money laundering between 1999 and 2004. They could be extradited to the country for prosecution.
The Attorney General said Kenya will continue to work with the Swiss government to ensure the architects of the Anglo Leasing scandal are brought to book.
According to Prof Muigai, the two countries have been sharing information and assisting each other in investigating the scandal for the last seven years.
BRINGING CLOSURE
He said the documents handed over relate to money laundering and were given following a request by the Swiss government.
“I received a written request by the ambassador in respect of certain Anglo Leasing-related cases, information that is required in that country in order to complete investigations that may very well lead to prosecution," he told reporters in his office on Thursday.
The EACC, which passed the files to the Attorney General, said it will continue investigating the scandal with the intent of bringing it to closure.
“We received a request from the AG and we have collaborated. We shall continue to cooperate in regard to investigations that touch on our country," said EACC deputy chairperson Ms Irene Keino.
The Swiss ambassador hailed Kenya for its swiftness in giving out the information, saying Switzerland had also assisted the country with similar information a few years ago.
