Kenyans risk paying Anglo Leasing more

Taxpayers stand to suffer more if Kenya delays to pay Anglo Leasing debts, a Senate Committee heard on Wednesday.

Senior Officials from the Ministry of Finance told the Senate Finance Committee that the two companies demanding payment after a successful petition in court were owed Sh1.6 billion by February, this year. The committee is chaired by Senator Billow Kerrow (Mandera, URP).

The interest for First Marcantile and Satspace is Sh121,518 and Sh143,190 respectively, per day, according to Treasury documents tabled before the committee.

The cases were filed in Switzerland and the UK, a move that has raised questions as to why those who committed Kenya to the contracts, agreed to have legal disputes emerging out of the deal, determined in foreign courts.

SOLICITOR GENERAL

The committee was also furnished with correspondence between Solicitor General Njee Muturi and Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge.

In the letter, the Solicitor General appeals to the Principal Secretary to speed up the process of finding a lasting solution to the matter to avoid committing the country to more losses.

“We wish to inform you that the Embassy of Switzerland has now served the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi with a notice of attachment of the Kenya Government mission property in Geneva for non-payment of the judgement awarded amounting to USD 10,561,008,” the letter dated February 19, reads.

The Finance Committee warned the Treasury against making payments for the Anglo Leasing contracts until its investigations are complete. (READ: LSK fights to block Anglo-Leasing pay)

It also observed that it is important for Kenyans to know the faces behind the two companies.