House teams clash on Kenya Airways investigation

Two parallel committees of the two Houses of Parliament have clashed on which between them has the mandate to investigate the affairs of the troubled national carrier, Kenya Airways.

The Senate select committee into the affairs of Kenya Airways and the National Assembly Committee on Transport were yesterday engaged in a battle of wits on the probe, which seeks to unravel the cause of the financial woes facing the airline.

Yesterday, acting Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia shuffled between the two teams, where he had to make a similar presentation and endure a similar line of questioning from members of the warring committees.

Mr Macharia, who had appeared before the National Assembly team early in the morning, proceeded to the Senate committee despite advice that he should not appear before the latter.

National Assembly Committee on Transport chairman Maina Kamanda had advised him to keep off the Senate team until both committees consult with a view to conducting joint hearings.

“I would advise you not to meet the Senate today. I’m going to meet the chair so that we harmonise our sittings and get the way forward. In any case, a report of the Senate committee must come through this committee,” Mr Kamanda said.

But fearing sanctions, the CS proceeded to appear before the Senate committee chaired by Kisumu Senator Anyang Nyong’o.

Grounded aircraft

He told both teams that the Government would take stern action against former Kenya Airways Board member(s) found to have committed acts of omission and commission that contributed to the airline’s woes.

Members of the two committees sought more details on the expected sale of four aircraft that are currently grounded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe claimed an offer for the purchase of the aircraft from a South African company was rejected by the board under suspicious circumstances.

Back at the National Assembly committee, Kamanda claimed he has documents to prove the deal was rejected after some board members demanded for kickbacks from the South African company.

Although the two committees are investigating a similar matter, received almost similar responses, and made strikingly similar observations, members are torn on which between them deserves the prize should the issue of Kenya airways be finally resolved.

The National Assembly committee argues that “Kenya Airways is not a devolved function”.

The Senate team hit back with Prof Nyong’o saying: “It is like when you are almost winning a race and your wife calls you from the starting line asking that you go back so that you can win together. Chances are that if you go back, you’ll lose.”