Orengo cleared of corruption allegations by anti-graft body

Siaya Senator James Orengo was on Friday absolved of corruption claims by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for lack of evidence.

Mr Orengo recorded a statement with EACC detectives nearly two months ago and denied all the allegations.

On the other hand, EACC’s recommendation that the Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua be charged was turned down by the Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko because of a High Court order that barred the two institutions from preferring any criminal charges against him.

“A decision of whether or not to charge the governor be deferred to await the outcome of the constitution petition on the tendering. The petition be set down for hearing without delay,” Mr Tobiko said in a statement.

Mr Orengo’s name was among 175 others contained in a list from EACC presented to Parliament by President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 26.

According to the dossier, Mr Orengo was under investigation over illegal acquisition of the 0.1194 acre parcel of land in Maraboi Trading Centre in Kericho (IRN 861). The commission was also investigating his alleged links to the Madhvani family in Jinja, Uganda, as well as the disposal of public land on Ring Road in Nairobi’s Westlands.

“EACC recommendation to close file for lack of evidence accepted. File ordered closed,” the DPP said in statement.

Yesterday, Mr Tobiko said he had received a total of 18 files from EACC so far, and he has made a decision on all of them.

President Kenyatta’s deadline for the conclusion of investigations on the named individuals lapses on Monday. EACC CEO Halakhe Waqo said will issue a comprehensive statement on Monday.

EACC’s recommendation to charge members of the tender committee of Kisumu County Assembly was turned down by Mr Tobiko, noting “administrative action should be taken against them instead of prosecution”.