Anti-graft agency summons State House Comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa over Keter saga

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter (right) flanked by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi arrives at Integrity Centre in Nairobi Tuesday for questioning by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officials over the Gilgil weighbridge incident. [Photo: WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: A State House official has been roped in the ongoing investigations into the conduct of Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter over an incident where he clashed with officers at the Gilgil Weighbridge.

Comptroller of State House Lawrence Lenayapa was Tuesday summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to appear at Integrity Centre tomorrow to record his statement regarding the incident.

Mr Keter and URP nominated MP Sonia Birdi caused a scene over the weekend at the weighbridge over an impounded drilling truck.

The summoning of Mr Lenayapa comes after Keter adversely mentioned him in a video recording as having called officers at the weighbridge to intervene and have a truck impounded by the officers released.

EACC said it was investigating the MPs for breach of Chapter Six of the Constitution on integrity of State officials.

Besides Lenayapa, others asked to appear for questioning tomorrow are National Assembly Security Committee Chairman Asman Kamama and Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa. The two were also mentioned by Keter in the tape.

"The commission would like to seek clarification from you and record your statement regarding the incident. To this end, you are required to appear at the EACC offices at Integrity Centre on January 29 at 9am," states the letter sent to Lenayapa and signed by the Deputy Secretary /CEO Technical Services Michael Mubea.

Tuesday, Keter and Birdi separately appeared before the commission where they were grilled.

Keter was the first to arrive at the Integrity Centre accompanied by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi. His lawyer Okong'o Omogeni arrived minutes later.

The two MPs were grilled for about three hours before they re-emerged to proceed to Gilgil Police Station to record statements. "We have raised a number of issues that necessitated the officers to adjourn the session. We will come back to continue when we are summoned again," said Omogeni.

SECOND SESSION

Birdi appeared later, but declined to answer any questions, insisting she will only speak after tomorrow's session with the EACC interrogators.

EACC Spokesman Yassin Amaro said the investigations were centred on the conduct of the legislators, and specifically on possible violation of Chapter Six of the Constitution on integrity of State officials. "They have been publicly talking about corruption at the weighbridge but  have not furnished us with any evidence on their claims," said Yassin.

Later in the day, Keter arrived at the Gilgil Police Station at around 4pm.

His arrival in a private helicopter caused a stir at the usually quiet police station as locals rushed to have a view of the legislator.

Conspicuously absent was Birdi, who was also supposed to record a statement over the weighbridge fiasco. Keter had a brief chat with the area deputy OCPD Salim Fundi before he moved to the CID office.

Addressing the press after recording the statement, the MP said he was obeying police summons over the incident. "I received summons from the police and since I am a law abiding citizen, I obeyed but the fight against corrupt government officers will continue," he said.

Keter's lawyer said he was ready for the next step in case the Director of Public Prosecutions decided to charge his client in court.

Detectives from EACC have already visited the Gilgil Weighbridge and recorded statements from Kenya National Highway Authority and police.