Kibaki silent on cash scandal as he tours Kisii

By ROBERT NYASATO

The Sh4.2 billion financial scandal that has put Education Minister Sam Ongeri and his PS James ole Kiyiapi under censure played out during President Kibaki's tour of Kisii.

But Kibaki, who was on a development assessment tour of the region, steered clear of the  saga when he rose to address a church gathering at Gusii Stadium.

Assistant ministers Kazungu Kambi and Wilfred Ombui had raised the issue and strongly defended Ongeri, saying those calling him to take political responsibility were ‘ill informed’.

Ombui said no money was lost as being claimed.

 “Any accountant can clearly tell that there was no money misappropriated. I have personally scrutinised the documents of the transactions and found no foulplay,” Ombui, who is an accountant, told the gathering.

Kambi said  infighting in Government would erode gains of the new Constitution.

Absolving Ongeri of any link to the financial scam, Kambi said locking the minister out of office in the name of fighting corruption was uncalled for.

The President, however, chose  to stick to the Government development agenda.

“All of us want development so that we can improve our people’s living standards,” President Kibaki said.

The President, who was on a resource mobilisation mission for the South Kenya Conference towards construction of an ultramodern complex to house a hospital, church headquarters and a guest house that will cost Sh200 million, dished out goodies to the Gusii and Maa communities.

He gave a node to all development projects requested by local MPs. Kibaki said Kisii University College would be granted full university status.  The President told the  crowd that a law to establish the Kisii University was ready and would be passed when Parliament resumes.

He said the much politicised 36km Mogonga-Etago-Kamagambo road would be tarmacked starting next Monday, since money for the works had been set aside. 

Other projects the President gave a nod to is airport in Transmara constituency, whose construction will start next month, rehabilitation of Suneka Airstrip, and establishment of a medical training centre in Nyamira County at an initial cost of Sh50 million, with the first intake next month.

Construction of the South bypass from Athi River through Transmara to Isebania on the Kenya/Tanzania border would also be fast tracked, Kibaki said.

Earlier, Kibaki officially opened an outpatient/inpatient complex at the Kisii Level Five Hospital in a ceremony also graced by Japanese Ambassador. 

 The facility was constructed at Sh810 million with Sh775 million donation by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

He also laid a foundation stone for the church building at Nyanchwa before completing his visit at the Kisii University where he took lunch.    Sh5.5 million was raised for the church project, with Sh1 million from the President.