Suspension of two commissioners will not ground EACC operations, says Waqo

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Halakhe waqo addressing the press at the integrity center. He said that investigations on corruption allegations touching on the high profile state officials are on course and the commission intents to have them finalized within 60 days period.  24/4/15 [PHOTO/BEVERLYNE MUSILI/STANDARD]

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo has refuted claims that suspension of two commissioners will affect operations of the anti-graft body.

Waqo yesterday said the commission would still go on with its operations without the two.

"Let me assure Kenyans that EACC has not been disbanded as many people have been misled to believe. Suspension of a commissioner is envisaged under the law. The commission has perpetual succession irrespective of the holders of the office," Waqo said in a press briefing yesterday.

The law requires that if a commissioner vacates office, then another is appointed to fill the void. Waqo explained that Chairman Mumo Matemu and vice chairperson Irene Keino had been suspended and not sacked and thus their positions in the commissions were not vacant.

"I want to emphasise that the operations of the commission will not be affected by the ongoing constitutional process," he said.

At the same time, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko appeared before the anti-graft body for grilling over graft allegations. He is facing allegations on his involvement in Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) tender awarding process and also Mombasa, Waitiki land issue.

Sonko had been adversely mentioned in the report prepared by EACC on allegations that he and Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir interfered with the tendering process to influence the contract worth Sh46.2 billion (USD500 million) to Sinopec instead of Zakhem.

The report claimed the deal was meant to corruptly create about Sh1.3 billion (US$15 million) allegedly to be shared between the senator and the CS. He denied the allegations saying that he was being used as a scapegoat in a bid to silence him.

The senator after hours of grilling, said he could not have brokered a deal with KPC boss when at the same time, he had instituted a case against the corporation over the Sinai fire.

Sonko said he was not involved in any dubious deal to rip-off the squatters in the the controversial Waitiki land deal. He, however, revealed that his father was an agent when the land changed hands to Mr Waitiki and that the Government was to pay Sh1.1 billion and the squatters Sh200,000 after receiving a title deed.