Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives raid home of Kenyan MP Zachayo Cheruiyot

Kenya: Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives Thursday raided the Nairobi home of Kuresoi South MP Zachayo Cheruiyot and sought to know how he acquired it.

The four detectives accompanied by two armed police officers went to the Lavington home of Cheruiyot at about 7am and demanded that the MP gives them ownership documents of the house.

Cheruiyot said he complied and handed them the documents, which they perused before leaving.

“They came with a warrant from a magistrate and sought to know if the house is mine. I sought the advice of my lawyer who told me to give them and they perused before they said they are carrying out some investigations,” said Cheruiyot.

He at the same time read mischief in the raid saying someone somewhere is trying to flex his muscles to harm him.

“This is my house and I have already told them so that I am clear on that… I have been living here since 2000 and I have legal documents.”

“I think someone is trying to flex some muscles to show he or she is powerful but we are ready,” he said.

He also alluded the raid could be linked to the ongoing case against him on the Anglo Leasing scandal.

“I have been in court for the last 15 years on matter relating to Anglo-leasing so I don’t know whether it’s in relation with that. I am already in court,”

“I have already been charged and it’s coming up for hearing on 4th May,” he said.

He later said the raid could be linked to his stand on the Jubilee Alliance Party recently formed by politicians allied to President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

“It has all to do with my stand on JAP which some people are not happy with.”

Cheruiyot smiled as he addressed a group of journalists who had camped outside his palatial house. By then, the EACC officials had left.

EACC officials said they were conducting investigations into the ownership of the house and would revert to him if and when necessary.

The bungalow is on affluent Mzima Springs Drive.

Cheruiyot and Alao are facing abuse of office charges before the magistrate’s court.

The charge states that between June 1999 and August 2001 in abuse of their offices, they arbitrarily proceeded with procurement of the CID project while there were technical specifications for it in place.

The second count states they failed to ensure Anglo Leasing and Finance Ltd and Forensic Laboratories Ltd had the requisite legal capacity to enter into a contract with the Government.

He has denied the charges. He said on Thursday the Anglo-Leasing case is slated for May 4.

Cheruiyot is among politicians who are opposing Ruto in Rift Valley region.

His reference that someone somewhere is trying to flex his muscles could be linked to the political supremacies in the area.

The politicians especially in the South Rift are rebellious to DP Ruto and have been dismissing his style of leadership.