Team set up to probe Kinisu graft claims

A joint team has been formed to investigate graft claims against Ethics and Anti-Corruption Chairman Philip Kinisu.

The team comprises the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Asset Recovery Agency and the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Mr Kinisu has been accused by Bunge La Mwananchi, a civil society group, of receiving fraudulent proceeds from the National Youth Service (NYS) through a company, Esaki Ltd, owned by his wife.

On Monday, the commission said it was investigating the payments, which were exposed by the Sunday Nation, following the complaints.

EACC commissioners said in a statement that the matter was brought to their attention on June 23 and that they discussed it for seven days, resolving to start a preliminary investigation, which concluded that the company had indeed done business with the NYS.

On July 11, the commissioners agreed to refer the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, recommending a full inquiry into the complaint.

They also wrote to the DPP asking for a forensic investigation.

“The DPP has since, by his letter dated July 15 addressed to the Director of Criminal Investigations and copied to the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of EACC; advised that since the allegations contain matters which would properly fall under the mandates of different agencies, the appropriate way forward is for the allegations to be investigated by a joint team comprising the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Asset Recovery Agency and Kenya Revenue Authority,” said the commissioners.

The statement was signed by commissioners Sophia Lepuchirit (vice-chairperson), Dr Dabar Abdi Maalim, Mr Paul Mwaniki, Ms Rose Macharia and Mr Halakhe Waqo (CEO).

Esaki was paid Sh35,417,209 for the supply of various items to the NYS last year.