Order probe on Tassia land too, COTU tells State

Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli has questioned the Government's commitment to addressing the multi-billion shilling Tassia land scam.

Atwoli wondered why President Uhuru Kenyatta had moved with speed to resolve the Karen issue, while turning a blind eye to the controversial Sh5.1 billion National Social Security Fund housing project. He accused the Government of being discriminatory in resolving the two scandals.

"We are appealing to the President and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to respond to the Tassia scandal with the same speed they have responded to the Karen issue. The Ombudsman recommended prosecution of those responsible, but the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has been dragging its feet. We do not want selective justice and double application of the law," said Atwoli during a press conference held at the organisation's Solidarity House offices.

contested plot

President Kenyatta on Saturday called for expeditious investigations into the 134-acre plot in Karen valued at Sh8 billion, whose ownership is being contested by two businessmen.

"Should the EACC find anyone – including public officers – to have been responsible for fraud, or abetted fraud in the case, then of course, they will face the consequences set out by the law," read Kenyatta's statement.

Yesterday, Atwoli said the anti-corruption watchdog was yet to act on complaints over loss of public money in the NSSF saga despite numerous reminders and trips to the commission's offices.

 "The President should protect workers. Some individuals in his Government must be told to stop fighting employers and workers," he said.