Is a financial scam brewing at truth commission?

By David Ochami

The troubled Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) has little to show for Sh47 million paid to creditors so far.

In the current financial year, TJRC was allocated Sh50 million through the Justice ministry, far below the anticipated Sh2 billion. Besides, the Justice ministry is said to operate an account for the commission, whose account is said to be empty despite its recent hiring of a CEO.

Now unexplained high expenditure is bound to engender a fresh credibility crisis within the commission and exacerbate the logjam caused by refusal by chairman Bethuel Kiplagat to resign following allegations he is too tainted with the past to lead it.

But Justice minister says he needs actionable evidence of illegality to prosecute anyone.

"Give us any solid evidence and they will be prosecuted," Mr Mutula Kilonzo said, adding investigation can only proceed if there is evidence of illegal deals.

According to information received by The Standard, TJRC has paid Sh21.2 million in rent to Delta Corporation Ltd in two instalments last year for the premises it occupies alongside the Committee of Experts on Constitution Review.

Not clear

The ministry also paid Sh17.2 million for rent last October 15, but is not clear whether it was in respect of CoE or TJRC.

Documents also show that last October, Sh500,000 was paid to install a telephone and Sh10.1 million to pay "casual workers" since late last year although the commission has only skeleton staff. It is not clear what job the casual workers did to justify the colossal amount, even as additional information shows Sh16.2 million was used to pay "elders" including Ambassador Kiplagat, a retired judge and university lecturer.

Also, a Ms Rosyline Aburili, believed to have worked for TJRC as a liaison officer until last September, was paid Sh1.8 million for services rendered to the commission until last month.

The payment to Aburili was made in four instalments of Sh872,000, Sh292,000, Sh80,000 and Sh20,000.