Former CS Anne Waiguru summoned in another corruption case

NAIROBI: A House committee has summoned former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru over the Sh180 million fraud at the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF).

Former Planning Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti was also summoned by the National Assembly Public Investment Committee (PIC).

In a bid to unravel the role of the two, given that YEDF Chairman Bruce Odhiambo gave irregular instructions and copied both of them, the committee resolved yesterday that Waiguru and Mangiti would appear before the team in two weeks.

The committee is inquiring into the alleged breach of financial and procurement laws and abuse of office by the agency's board and management.

The MPs demanded that Mr Odhiambo, dubbed 'super' chairman, be surcharged for enjoying benefits he was not entitled to as a non-executive chairman in collusion with suspended acting Chief Executive Officer Catherine Namuye.

Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua was not spared the MPs' wrath.

They accused him of trying to circumvent the parliamentary oversight process after it turned out that he wrote to the Inspectorate of State Corporations to represent the State Corporations Advisory Committee CEO)/Secretary Jane Mugambi, arguing that the council's term expired last month and its role was just advisory.

ILLEGAL DECISIONS

The committee's vice chair Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu) directed that Waiguru and Mangiti appear before them after members demanded that they be questioned.

Mithika Linturi (Igembe South) drew members attention to the alleged link between Waiguru, Mangiti and Odhiambo.

"The irregular letters written by Odhiambo to the management and bank, despite being a non-executive chairman, were all copied to Waiguru and Mangiti.

"I am convinced there was a conspiracy, whether its absence of knowledge by the ministry officials, it is up to this committee to establish," said Mr Linturi.

The MPs further demanded that Odhiambo be surcharged for using a Government vehicle costing Sh12million, fuel costing Sh700,000 and allowances for a driver and bodyguard assigned to him illegally.

MPs Oburu Odinga (Nominated) Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi) and Thomas Mwadegu (Wundayi) said the committee would not spare anyone in dealing with the misappropriation of funds at the agency.