Moses Kuria risks losing seat amid graft, nepotism claims

Troubles facing Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria deepened yesterday after a petitioner moved to the High court seeking to remove the legislator from office on grounds of alleged corruption and nepotism in the awarding of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) tenders.

The petitioner, Mr Elijah Gicharu Kimani from Kiambu County, says in his sworn affidavit that in the year 2016, a self-audit of Gatundu South CDF unearthed nepotism and conflict of interest in awarding tenders amounting to Sh170,878,413.

“We discovered that most of the contracts had been awarded to companies owned by close relatives of the respondent,” says Mr Kimani in his affidavit.

The petitioner alleges that contracts worth Sh32,531,540 were awarded to Finishline Construction Limited, a company whose director is one Aloise Kinyajui Kuria, a brother to the legislator.

The petitioner further claims that another company identified as Mwaura Timber Yard Limited whose director is one Charles Regeru Nguru, a brother to the MP, was irregularly awarded a tender worth Sh15,761,445 to construct three schools in Gatundu South.

Efforts to contact Mr Kuria for comment were unsuccessful as he had not responded to Nation's queries by press time.

The petitioner also accuses Moses Kuria of flouting procurement laws and awarding another contract worth Sh5,808,468 to Supreme General Traders for the construction of Mutungu Secondary School. The company's directors are alleged to be John Ngige Kuria and James Kogi Kuria, both of whom are relatives to Mr Kuria.

Other alleged irregular tenders captured in the affidavit include contracts worth Sh10,267,955 awarded to Lujatech Enterprises, adversely mentioned in the court document as being linked to his close relatives including nieces.

Also mentioned is Numerical Strength Limited which is allegedly owned by one John Kuria, a brother to the Gatundu South MP, who is said to have received Sh31,525,120.

Also mentioned is Kiki Holdings, a company reportedly owned by Jane Kuria, his sister.

Another contract worth Sh14,792,825 was also allegedly awarded to Kurstan Builders Limited whose director is one Stanley Kuria, a nephew to the respondent.

'LOSE SEAT'

The petitioner further argues that since the alleged economic crimes were committed by the MP willingly, he should cease to represent the people of Gatundu South.

Yesterday after the petition was filed at the High Court, peaceful demonstrations took place in Gatundu town as residents pressured the judiciary to fast-track the process of having his parliamentary seat declared vacant.

The petitioner says his suit is not motivated by politics or malice, adding that he is exercising his civil duty by seeking transparency and accountability from leaders.

He said he turned to the judicial system after earlier attempts to have the MP investigated were delayed.

EACC PROBE

On March 9, 2017, the same petitioner presented a petition to the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) seeking investigations into the actions of the MP and his friends, a probe he says has dragged on for some time.

The EACC confirmed that it was investigating the MP for misusing CDF funds, adding that it had made progress on the case.

"I can confirm that Moses Kuria the MP for Gatundu South and others are under investigation by EACC for misusing  CDF in his Constituency and allowing conflict of interest in the award of tenders. We have made good progress on this case but we are not able to divulge more details for now," EACC spokesman Yassin Amaro told the Nation.

In October last year, Mr Robert Kibe Githongo, who was the CDF chair for Gatundu South when the tenders were awarded, was arrested by EACC detectives for forging his academic certificates.

Mr Githongo is the current Kiamwangi Ward MCA.