KACC officials in London to investigate Kamani

By STANDARD REPORTER

The Government is pursuing fresh leads that might help in the recovery of Sh7.2 billion from businessman Deepak Kamani, who was deeply involved in security-related contracts in the Anglo Leasing scandal.

An official at KACC confirmed to The Standard yesterday that their officers are in the United Kingdom to pursue this and other cases involving Kamani.

"Our people are in the UK to meet with officials of the Serious Fraud Office. We hope we get some co-operation as far as cases involving Kamani’s businesses are concerned," a source who sought anonymity said.

The KACC investigation on these contracts began in 2005, but they had to be put on hold after the High Court stopped the commission from investigating the case.

However, the orders have since been quashed and KACC allowed to continue with the investigation.Among the controversial contracts awarded to Kamani was the supply of 994 security vehicles and spare parts to the Office of the President.

The company apparently arranged for an interest-free loan facility for the supply of the security vehicles, whose delivery would be done over eight years. The Government was to repay the company over a period of 13 years.

Kamani was the director of Kamsons, a motor firm that sold a fleet of low technology India–made Mahindra four-wheel drive vehicles to Kenya police in 1993.

Promisory notes

Sources in KACC informed The Standard that they are looking at all the business interests Kamani was involved in while dealing with the Government.

A Cabinet Committee on Security and Foreign Relations has called for termination of all contracts involving Kamani and ordered measures taken to recover over payments from the supplier.

In its memo, the Cabinet committee has recommended that all contracts that were awarded to Kamani be negotiated for cancellation and restitution. These included contracts for the supply of the Forensic Laboratories for CID, Immigration Security Equipment, E-Cops/Infotalent, security vehicles for the police and modernisation of police equipment.

(See Editorial Page 14)