Probe more scandals at Kenya Pipeline - Mudavadi

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi has asked the investigating officers to put on the crosshairs the use of Sh61.4 billion at the Kenya Pipeline Company.

Last week, former chief executive officer Joe Sang, company secretary Gloria Kafafa, Vincent Cheruyot (General Manager, Supply Chain) and Infrastructure GM Billy Aseka denied graft and abuse of office charges in the Sh1.8 billion Kisumu oil jetty contract scandal. 

They were arraigned at the anti-corruption court on December 10 and charged with abuse of office, failure to comply with applicable procedures and law and engaging in a project without prior planning. 

But Mudavadi insists that investigations should look at the entire operations, including the procurement and variations of the Mombasa – Nairobi pipeline that was varied from Sh43 billion.

Also on the list for the scandals that Mudavadi has asked the Director of Criminal Investigations to investigate is the valve automation projects whose cost was inflated from Sh1.2 billion to Sh5.1 billion.

“Why was the valve automation contract split? Was this to allow for higher rent seeking, why was the contract paid to intermediaries and not the main contractor, who were the beneficiaries of kickbacks worth Sh3.9 billion,” said Mudavadi.

On the Kisumu Oil Jetty, the ANC leader wondered why a project that was worth Sh900 million was increased to Sh1.7 billion, saying the difference in the amount could have been a kickback for those who were keen to plunder taxpayers' money.

Mudavadi also querried the overpricing of two acres of land LR NO 209/8618 at Sh653 million, instead of a Sh320 million which was its value at the time.

He questioned who and why the land was revalued upwards.

Similarly, the ANC leader questioned why a fibre optics deal shot up without any explanations.