MPs to decide Anglo Leasing pay fate

The National Assembly has the final say on whether the government will pay the Anglo Leasing firms.

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday said Parliament would determine the next course of action the government should take on matters relating to payment of the Anglo Leasing companies.

Mr Ruto was speaking  at Mumbi Catholic Church in Murang’a Town  after several Jubilee MPs publicly disagreed on whether the government should pay.

“These MPs should debate the issue in Parliament and give us feedback on how they want us to deal with this matter,” said the DP.

Uphold transparency

He said as a government, they wanted to ensure that they were performing their tasks in a transparent manner, insisting that they were running a transparent administration.

“We should all get the facts right so that we make an informed decision.”

The Deputy President said the government would not allow public funds to be used without Parliament’s authorisation.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa had said  paying  Anglo Leasing firms was a court decision and the government had no choice but to pay.

His views were opposed by Kangema MP Tiras Ngahu and Maragwa’s Peter Kamande who insisted on no payment.

The MP had said the government has exhausted all the mechanisms and if it pays this amount it will open channels of the government to go and get grants for other development projects.

“We are saying that let Sh150billion come to Kenyans,” Mr Ichung’wa said.

ACCOUNTABILITY OUR HALLMARK

The MP said it is a fact that the previous government paid Sh5.3billion on those Anglo-leasing related companies on negotiated contracts.

He said the Jubilee government is telling Kenyans that in the spirit of transparency the government has a responsibility of ensuring that it follows what the court has directed.

He accused the commercial banks in the country of being actively involved in politics of calling for non-payment of Anglo leasing related projects.

“If the government borrows Sh150billion, interest rates in the country will be single digit and that is what the commercial banks are fighting and we must truthful as leaders,” said Mr Ichung’wa.

His views were opposed by Kangema MP Tiras Ngahu and his Maragwa counterpart Peter Kamande who insisted that the government should not pay.

“We are against the payments .No pay, we won’t pay until we discuss,” said Maragwa MP.

Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau however said they are not opposed to the government paying Anglo-Leasing and honouring court orders but what they want is transparency.

“We don’t want the Jubilee government to be involved in these scandals, so we are asking for transparency,” said Mr Kamau.

On security matters, Mr Ruto said all teachings including religious ones must be geared towards uniting Kenyans and urged the youth not to fall victims of being recruited into groups that will destroy the country.

At the same time Mr Ruto said as a government they are going to work with and support all governance institutions from the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, the Auditor General, The County Assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate to ensure that public resources re used in accordance with the law and the constitution.

“Accountability becomes the hallmark of our development as a country,” said Mr Ruto.

Senate Majority leader Professor Kithure Kindiki said they are not going to abuse powers of the Senate when dealing with the counties on impeachment law.

He said they will look at the law, facts and evidence and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) should also do their work.

LAW OF BLACKMAIL

Prof Kindiki said if there is any evidence that any governor has misappropriated public funds they (MCAs) should not fear impeaching him.

He however cautioned them not to use the impeachment law for blackmailing. He said the objective of devolution demands that governs open their offices at sub-county levels up to locations.

Prof Kindiki said as the Senate they have an oversight role over the resources allocated to counties, “: If you misuse public funds you will face the wrath of the Senate,” he said.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen urged governors to work with everybody.

“The county is not a private enterprise for one to run as a one man show, we must build relationship to ensure that counties become successful entities for economic development,” said Mr Murkomen.

He said they will ensure that devolution succeeds and they will only use power of impeachment when they look at the facts and evidence and nothing else.