Uhuru to spare no one in Karen land saga

NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday added his voice to the controversial Karen land saying anyone found responsible for fraud will not be spared.

In a statement, the President noted that the matter is before the courts and together with his deputy William Ruto expect the process to be allowed to go the full course.

He also noted that in addition, the Cabinet Secretary responsible for lands, Mrs Charity Ngilu, has formally requested an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into the matter. “ It is a process that should also play out to the full.”

“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,” said Manoah Esipisu Spokesperson, State House.

Meanwhile, The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has ordered two opposition senators to furnish it with information on the allegations they made regarding the grabbing of land in Nairobi's Karen area.

In a post-dated letter bearing Tuesday's date, the EACC official Abdi Mohamud, who has signed on the authority of the chief executive Halakhe Waqo has given the two senators James Orengo and Johnstone Muthama until Wednesday to furnish the Senate with the details of the land.

EACC spokesperson Yasin Amaro, said the letters are genuine. "The author wanted to post it on 21st but it was sent to Senate earlier. It is a genuine letter," he said.

He however said that the letters are not summons but a request to the two senators to provide information on what they know about the Karen land.

The letters read: "It has been widely reported in the media today that you have valuable information on the alleged illegal acquisition of of the above referenced land. As a responsible leader of this great Country, you have an obligation to give this information to the responsible law enforcement agencies for investigation to unearth the truth."

Amaro said the two politicians were given a deadline because the matter is urgent. "It is for this reason we request you to share whatever information you have with this commission by sending the information to undersigned by 22nd October, 2014," reads the letter.

Amaro said if Orengo and Muthama fail to provide the information, investigators would pursue 'their own angle.'

A section of CORD leaders have alleged that senior politicians in government are behind the 134 acres piece of land in Karen valued at Sh8 billion.

Lands Cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu denied involvement in the illegal acquisition.

She also absolved Deputy President William Ruto, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Inspector General David Kimaiyo and CID Director Muhoro Ndegwa, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and James Mbaluka of any wrongdoing.

"I have talked to all the people mentioned including the Deputy President William Ruto and they have absolutely nothing  to do with that piece of land."

Ngilu termed the accusations as false and noted that it is a diversionary tactic used by those involved in dubious land transaction in Lamu where 500, 000 acres of public land were allocated to private entities, in Kwale, Machakos among other areas.

"It is clear that this was a political statement by people who are burdened by dubious land transactions carried out in the past," she said.

Ngilu said she has written to the chairman of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Mumo Matemu and the Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro to conduct investigations on the piece of land adding that officers in the ministry will fully comply with the summons to appear in court.