“It doesn’t matter what is acquired with the proceeds of corruption; ultimately, all will be forfeited.”
This was President Uhuru Kenyatta’s promise as he announced unprecedented move with regard to property acquired and money looted from the National Youth Service.
During yesterday’s Jamhuri Day celebrations held at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, the President informed the country that transfer of properties which may have been acquired using the NYS monies has been frozen indefinitely.
The tough-talking President said a preservation order was gazetted on Friday freezing the transfers. The theft at NYS, initially denied by his government, has dented his government’s image and led to resignation of powerful Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru. The preservation order was obtained at the High Court under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act in respect of eight suspects. It was gazetted on Friday by Anti-Money Laundering Authority director Muthoni Kimani.
“The property will be held until all relevant legal matters are concluded,” the President announced. The ownership of the property revolves around the eight suspects – Josephine Kabura Irungu, Ben Gethi, Charity Wangui Gethi, Jedidah Wangari Wangui, John Kago Ndung’u, Sam K Mwadime, Patrick Onyango Ogola and Martin Muthoni Gitonga.
According to the gazette notice, the properties targeted in the order include two pieces of land in Muthaiga, a house in Rosslyn Estate, Nairobi, Eden Times Restaurant located in Mercury Building along Moi Avenue and a Range Rover Vogue.
They cannot be transferred, mortgaged, attached or disposed of in any way for the next six months. The Range Rover Vogue must also be seized “and surrendered to the investigating officer and be detained until further orders are made by the court”.
