Raila to give evidence on Eurobond billions when he appears before PAC

Cord leader Raila Odinga is expected to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week to shed more light on the Eurobond saga.

PAC chairman Nicolas Gumbo on Sunday said the decision to question the Cord leader was reached after Mr Odinga volunteered to share information with the committee.

Mr Gumbo, a Cord MP, said his team had received an application from the party leader offering to appear before it.

“I want to confirm to Kenyans that other than the information Mr Odinga released to the media last week, the PAC is currently seized of the Eurobond issue. I am happy to report that Mr Odinga has actually asked to be given an opportunity to share all the information he has with the Public Accounts Committee,” Mr Gumbo said at his Rarieda home.

“We are writing an official letter inviting him to appear before the committee next week.”

Mr Odinga has in the past declined to volunteer information to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Earlier in the month, Director Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko offered to meet Mr Odinga at a time and place of his choice to shed more light on the scandal.

PATRIOTISM

On Sunday, Mr Gumbo said Mr Odinga's decision to name persons of interest in the scandal was a bold move and “an act of patriotism which ought to be emulated by every Kenyan”.

“We are calling on Kenyans of good will, especially financial and economics experts to give a breakdown on whether the Eurobond money was effectively used or was misused,” he said.

ODM lawmakers, speaking at the funeral of West Uyoma MCA Mathews Odeny Nduru, asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to take full responsibility for the scandal.

Siaya Senator James Orengo, MPs John Mbadi (Suba), Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) said Mr Odinga had made a bold move by naming the Eurobond culprits.

Some of those named as persons of interest, including Central Bank of Kenya chairman Mohammed Nyaoga, have given Mr Odinga until Monday to withdraw his allegations or they would sue him for libel.

Both the National Treasury and the Central Bank have also denied that any money was lost.

Yesterday, however, Mr Orengo said: “Kenyans need information directly from President Kenyatta on how the Sh150 billion was spent. It is wrong to incriminate Raila for offering credible information to Kenyans that is supposed to be offered by the government.”

In Nyeri, MPs from central Kenya told Mr Odinga to present his evidence on the alleged disappearance of Sh87.7 billion in Eurobond proceeds to the Public Accounts Committee today or stop talking about the issue.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former head of Civil Service Francis Kimemia also defended the government against claims that money had been lost.

Mr Kega, who is a member of the PAC, said his committee was willing to postpone whatever deliberations they had scheduled for Monday to allow Mr Odinga to present information to it.

“The Auditor-General confirmed that no money was lost. He only wanted a clarification on the transfers. If he (Mr Odinga) has any evidence, let him bring it to us today,” said Mr Kega.

Mr Kuria said he would attend the PAC meeting when Mr Odinga goes to present his evidence.

“I am not a member of the PAC, but he will find me there,” he said.  

Mr Odinga had on Thursday demanded the resignation of Mr Rotich, Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge and Chief Accountant Bernard Muiruri Ndung’u for allegedly covering up the loss of the Eurobond cash.

However, Mr Kega, criticised Mr Odinga, saying he had used the wrong forums to address issues of national importance and was misleading the country.

“He has declined meetings with Treasury and other government agencies. If he has any evidence, let him use the right media and right procedure to air them,” said Mr Kega.

He and the other leaders were speaking at the Kamariki Catholic church in Kieni during a thanksgiving service held in honour of Fr John Mbai, who has served at the church for 16 years.