Anglo Leasing - PAC Vows To Deal Blow To Mwiraria Kenya Times 10 February 2005 Page: 3
A Parliamentary watchdog committee yesterday vowed to ensure that Finance Minister David Mwiraria carries his own cross in the Sh 7 Billion Anglo Leasing and Finance Company scandal.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) announced that it will reintroduce in Parliament the motion of adoption of the PAC special report on procurement of passport equipment earlier rejected by the House in its entirety after the name of Mwiraria was expunged.
The motion was rejected after a crucial paragraph on the Finance ministers responsibility in the deal was removed. PAC, consequently has in the meantime requested the Controller and Auditor General to undertake special audits on five controversial tenders, which cost billion of taxpayers money.
They include the Silversonic forensic contract for the purchase of security vehicles at a cost of Sh 8.7 billion, the purchase of communication satellite equipment and payments to Universal Satspace at a cost of Sh 3.2 billion and CID forensic science laboratories project of Sh 4.2 billion, which was cancelled last year. Others are handling of Police Communication Equipment (E-Cop) initially set to cost Sh 22 billion and the reported purchase of civilian ships from Spain for Conservation into warships by the Kenya military.
Addressing a press at Parliament Buildings, PAC chairman Uhuru Kenyatta expressed concern that the first three controversial projects were queried in the House during debate on the budget, but the Finance minister could neither provide the contract documents, nor offer satisfactory explanations.
“In requesting for these audits, the PAC seeks to identify transactions where government officers have defied the laid down financial and procurement regulations resulting in the loss of taxpayers money to fraudsters,” Kenyatta said.
Meanwhile, PAC regretted the resignation of anti-corruption crusader and PS for Ethics and Governance John Githongo and thanked those who have consistently supported the war against corruption. Kenyatta said special thanks goes to the British High Commissioner, Sir Edward Clay “for standing to be counted among the anti-corruption crusaders”.
He said issues raised by Clay are real and cannot be wished away. Kenyatta was accompanied by PAC members who included Joseph Lagat (Eldoret East), Billow Kerrow (Mandera Central), Adelina Mwau (Nominated), Charles Keter (Belgut) and Koigi Wamwere (Subukia).
The leader of Official Opposition said the committee is currently waiting for a special audit report from the Controller and Auditor General on the importation of maize and the subsequent distribution of famine relief food. “The audit was ordered prior to the end of the previous Session last year and the report will be table in Parliament as soon as it re-convenes for the fourth Session,” he said.
He noted that the Executive lacks the political will to act decisively on the financial scandals unearthed during its current term of office, particularly the scandals revolving around the faceless Anglo-Leasing and Finance Company