‘Chicken’ case suspects face sacking

Top government officials accused of involvement in the “chicken” scandal will be suspended from office if they are charged.

Investigation of those adversely mentioned over the multi-million-shilling scam that involved officials of a British printing company will this week enter a critical stage as their summons begin.

To make the case watertight, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will invite witnesses from the UK who are privy to the matter.

It will also rely heavily on material used by a UK court during the prosecution of two directors of Smith & Ouzman (S&O), who have since been jailed.

Those who will be removed from office if charged include Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Isaack Hassan and other IEBC officials.

The officials’ names have been adversely mentioned in the scandal that involved procuring of electoral material.

On Sunday, EACC Chairman Mumo Matemu said the matter has been given “priority because it is of public interest.”

TREVY OYOMBRA

At the centre of the EACC investigations will be the local agent of S&O, Mr Trevy Oyombra, whom the commission will interrogate to find out whether he indeed disbursed bribes to Kenyan officials.

The kickbacks are said to have been paid for awarding of printing tenders to the firm.

“If he (Mr Oyombra) was given money, we want to find the evidence that he indeed disbursed the money to Kenyan officials. That is the link we are pursuing,” said Mr Matemu.

Five EACC officials who were sent to the UK came back on Saturday.

By Sunday evening, they were going through their notes, which will guide them on who to summon first.

“We sent them there because we needed evidence from the UK just like the British authorities sought material from us. What we find out will inform us on the work plan and summons,” Mr Matemu said.

It will be a busy week at Integrity House, where the EACC offices are, as several officials, including Mr Chirchir, Mr Hassan, and former Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) boss Paul Wasanga will be summoned to record statements for their alleged roles in the scam.

Mr Matemu said the Constitution gives the suspected individuals some rights that include fair trial.

“Even as the Constitution gives people certain rights, it should be noted that public property does not belong to private pockets,” he said.

Although the named officials have denied any role in “eating the chicken”, said Mr Matemu, “denials do not clear anyone of wrongdoing”.

INVESTIGATIONS

“We are governed by evidence presented to us and our own investigations. We are already in the middle of our investigations and it will be improper for me to delve into details of our findings,” he added.

Last Thursday, Mr Nicholas Charles Smith, 43, was handed a three-year jail term while his father Christopher John Smith, 71, was sentenced to an 18-month suspended term for their roles in the scandal in which top officials of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) and others from Knec allegedly pocketed Sh50 million.