Kuttuny wants Kiunjuri prosecuted over Sh1.8b maize cash

Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny has called for a speedy probe into the illegal withdrawal of Sh1.8 billion from the Strategic Food Reserve Fund.

Kutuny asked the investigation agencies to institute criminal proceedings against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, his Principal Secretary Prof Hamadi Boga and other government officials involved in the withdrawal of the fund.

The MP asked the Director of Public Prosecution, the Director Criminal Investigations, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Inspector of General of Police to prosecute Kiunjuri, Boga and other officers who facilitated the withdrawal contrary to the SFR regulations.

“Those who facilitated the withdrawal of the SFR funds without the necessary documentation have to be punished,” said Kuttuny.

Kuttuny argued that the withdrawal contravened the law as provided for by the finance management on the strategic food reserve amendment regulation of 2015.

"The CS and his people made the withdrawal to pay off 2017 debts without the resolution of the oversight board contrary to regulations 14(I) and (II) as well as regulation 5(1)(C),’’ said Kutuny.

The MP called on relevant arms of government to expeditiously freeze the accounts where the funds were illegally transferred to.

 “The withdrawal defeats the purpose for which the fund was established, which was to ensure sufficient food in our grains reserves for all Kenyans at all times,” he added.

He claimed the money was paid to a company associated with maize importation cartels in the country.

"The money was withdrawn and wired to the company trading as Commodities House without the approval of the board and yet one of the directors of this company is deceased,’’ he said.