Keriako Tobiko gets Anglo-Leasing files

What you need to know:

  • If the director upholds the recommendations, the shadowy figures behind the scandal would be revealed this week.
  • It is estimated that Sh18 billion of taxpayers’ money was lost in shady deals involving phantom companies.

The anti-corruption commission on Friday handed over files recommending charges against Anglo-Leasing scandal suspects to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“The commission is addressing issues raised by the director in respect of two other files which will be resubmitted within 14 working days,” commission chairman Mumo Matemu said.

If the director upholds the recommendations, the shadowy figures behind the scandal would be revealed this week.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko sent his officers to the anti-graft agency in a bid to speed up the Anglo-Leasing investigation and others.

It is estimated that Sh18 billion of taxpayers’ money was lost in shady deals involving phantom companies.

The files referred to were first taken to Amos Wako, the then attorney-general, by the anti-graft agency, then known as the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission in 2006. At the time, Mr Tobiko’s office fell under the attorney-general’s.

However, the attorney-general returned the files to the commission, citing insufficient evidence to support the case in court.

The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission continued with investigations and handed over the files to Mr Tobiko who also returned them, but with a team of experienced prosecutors.

They were to help the investigators in filling legal gaps and ensure a water-tight case.

The investigation team went to France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland and the Netherlands to pursue evidence.