TNA officials probed over missing cash

TNA supporters at party headquarters on Jogoo Road, Nairobi, during campaigns.  [PHOTO: FILE]

By MWANIKI MUNUHE

KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party is investigating the disappearance of Sh50 million from its campaign bank account, we can report.

Investigators are also looking into unproven claims of bribery of some top officials. The loss of the money has become the biggest mystery to hit The National Alliance (TNA) since its formation last year. Sources familiar with the matter say the financial scandal has irked President Kenyatta and could hurt the careers of some party officials.

At least two top ranking TNA officials confirmed to The Standard On Saturday that the money seems lost and that, so far, an on-going audit has unearthed no explanation.

“I am aware some money cannot be accounted for,” said one source that did not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Our source said the President has ordered an audit to determine how it went missing. “It is still not clear how the cash was lost but we are hoping the audit will resolve this mystery.”

Officials tasked to balance party accounts raised the alarm shortly after the March 4 election in which Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission declared Uhuru, the Jubilee coalition presidential candidate, the winner.

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Also being investigated are allegations that some party officials took money from prospective candidates for various positions, claiming they could issue them with certificates of nomination. TNA leaders insisted on a transparent elective process at the grassroots with no ‘direct’ nominations for contested positions.

Direct nomination

“There are some of us who are accused of taking money to issue direct (nomination) certificate,” said another source within the party. “For some reason, it became difficult for them to (issue certificates). Now people who gave out that money are asking for it.”

The scandal has caused a standoff within the party and could cost signatories to the account in question benefits they would otherwise have gained from the Jubilee victory, including appointment to key Government positions.

Party bank account has three signatories: Treasurer Wambui Gichuru, Director of Nominations Winnie Guchu, and Secretary General Onyango Oloo. Only two signatures are needed to withdraw money from most jointly held bank accounts.

Efforts to reach the three signatories for a response have not succeeded. In response to repeated calls and text messages over the last two weeks, Ms Gichuru sent one response: a text message on Thursday April 25 informing us she was in a meeting.   Our message reads, in part: “We are working on a story regarding the management of the TNA bank account and … would like to get a comment from you.”

As one of the largest parties in the just concluded General Election, TNA collected hundreds of millions of shillings through nomination charges. It also received a share of the Sh250 million shared out from the Political Parties Fund. President Kenyatta paid Sh1 million to the party as his nomination fee. All aspirants for county governor or senator paid Sh250,000 for nomination.  Those seeking to be Members of Parliament paid Sh150,000 (half as much for County Women Representatives), while those seeking to be ward representatives paid Sh20,000 each.

The financial scandal comes amid controversy over whether Mr Johnson Sakaja should continue holding his position as TNA chairman following his nomination to Parliament. Whereas TNA’s constitution prohibits holders of public offices from being national party officials, Article 77 (2) of the Constitution states only appointed State officers are locked out from such positions. His removal at a time when a financial scandal is unfolding could throw the young party into turmoil.

Contacted for comment, Sakaja said: “The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, is very clear on who is prohibited from holding office in a political party. That Constitution talks about an appointed State officer. I am not an appointed State officer.” The matter is still being discussed at various levels within the leadership of the party.