EACC boss sent home over the sale of Integrity Centre

The deputy chief executive of the anti-corruption agency Michael Mubea was on Monday suspended for 90 days after weeks of investigations into his conduct.

According to a source who requested anonymity, the commissioners at Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission relied on findings of the investigations to send him home.

Among other issues, Mr Mubea was investigated for concealing information on the acquisition of Integrity Centre, the headquarters of EACC.

At the same time, more than 20 graft related cases will be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) next week for direction, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chairman Mumo Matemu said on Monday.

Mr Matemu said the 21 cases involve investigations that have been ongoing around the Kenya Airport Authority Greenfield project, Tassia II, national early warning and safety system, and immigration cases.

The EACC chairman, who was accompanied by his deputy Irene Keino, told journalists that in addition to these cases, they are also planning to complete investigations on another 41 cases in the next two weeks.

“The 41 cases touch on cabinet secretaries and permanent secretaries mentioned in the list that was presented to the President. The others are governors, senators, MPs and other senior officials,” Mr Matemu.

UNDER REVIEW

Meanwhile, there are 15 cases which are still under review by the EACC evidence analysts.

The commission has met and quizzed several cabinet secretaries including Mr Davis Chirchir (Energy), Mrs Charity Ngilu (Lands), Mr Kazungu Kambi (Labour) and Mr Michael Kamau (Transport).

Mr Matemu said their investigations are not limited to the list presented to Parliament by President Kenyatta in his State of the Nation speech, adding that they are also investigating other cases which were recently brought to EACC’s attention.

He however explained that they have been facing challenges dealing with individuals who reveal information on ongoing investigations despite pledging not to.

“We have always wanted to ensure that there is confidentiality and those mentioned are given a fair hearing. However, there are people we have investigated and agreed that the matter should remain confidential but after leaving our offices, they talk about the issues discussed,” Mr Matemu.

ORDINARY ACCIDENT

He also denied reports that his life is in danger saying that the recent incident where his vehicle was involved in a smash-up was nothing more than an ordinary accident.

“I don’t think Kenyans should read much in that accident. I was not even in that vehicle and I have never told anybody that my life is in danger,” said Mr Matemu.

He said the EACC will continue to brief the public on the progress of the investigations they are conducting latest once in 10 days.

The commission has lined up seven governors for investigations and expects to take their cases to court in the next 14 days.