BY FELIX OLICK

The Sh1.4 million Anglo Leasing payments sanctioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta was wired to one bank account, The Standard has established.

The amount was sent to one Travers Smith who holds an account with Natwest Bank, City of London branch, confirming that the firms belong to one shadowy person.

According to agreement letters between the Kenya government and the two Anglo Leasing-type firms, First Mercantile Securities Corporation and Universal Satspace, the money was sent to account number 00859184.

Speaking to the press in his office on Monday, Attorney General Githu Muigai revealed that both First Mercantile Securities Corporation and Spacenet Inc were linked to Kenyan businessman Anura Perera.

According to Prof Muigai, the money was a penalty for incomplete payments for the two contracts that Kenya signed with two firms in 2002 under the tenure of his predecessor, Amos Wako.

First Mercantile was awarded the contract for the supply and installation of satellite communication equipment in 980 Kenyan post offices at a cost of US$ 11.7 million.

On Wednesday, Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge told the Public Accounts Committee that the money was paid on Monday.