EACC detectives raid MP Zakayo Cheruiyot's home

Kuresoi South MP Zakayo Cheruiyot

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives Thursday visited the Nairobi home of Kuresoi South MP Zakayo Cheruiyot and sought to know how he acquired it.

The four detectives accompanied by two armed police officers went to his Lavington home at about 7am and demanded that the MP gives them ownership documents.

Mr Cheruiyot, who suspects the matter has something to do with Anglo Leasing cases, explained he complied and handed them the documents, which they perused before leaving.

"They came with a warrant from a magistrate and sought to know if the house is mine. I sought the advise of my lawyer who told me to give them the documents to peruse. They said they were carrying out some investigations," he said.

Cheruiyot, who was Internal Security Permanent Secretary when some of the Anglo Leasing contracts were handled, said someone somewhere is trying to flex his muscles to "show he or she is powerful".

"This is my house and I have already told them so that I am clear on that. I have been living here since 2000 and I have legal documents," he said.

Cheruiyot, who has been in court for the last 15 years over the Anglo Leasing scam, said he was not sure whether the raid was related to the case.

"I have already been charged and it's coming up for hearing on May 4. It (the raid) has all to do with my stand on Jubilee Alliance Party which some people are not happy with," he said. EACC officials said they were seeking to establish the owner of the house and would talk to Cheruiyot if and when necessary.

Cheruiyot and John Alao, who was the Chief Financing Officer in the Internal Security ministry at the time of the Anglo Leasing scam, are facing abuse of office charges before the magistrate's court.

Legal capacity

The charge states that between June 1999 and August 2001, they arbitrarily proceeded with procurement of the CID project while there were technical specifications for it in place.

They are also accused of failing to ensure Anglo Leasing and Finance Ltd and Forensic Laboratories Ltd had the requisite legal capacity to enter into a contract with the Government.