E-Clips:- Business Pictorial - Githongo Will Spill Beans On Graft

Former Permanent Secretary John Githongo will tell all he knows on grand corruption, shadow Finance minister Billow Kerrow has said.

He confirmed that travel documents for members of the Parliamentary Select Committee traveling to London to meet Githongo were ready. "There are claims at Parliament Buildings that the journey has been called off due to lack of funds," said Kerrow.

He said the team, led by Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, was prepared to gather as much evidence as possible on Anglo Leasing and procurement abuses in the Kibaki government. Kerrow said although they had prepared their own brief on what they want from Githongo, they would give him a free hand to say everything he wants to share. Asked if the list had more names than those already publicised, Kerrow said it was a possibility.

The Mandera Central MP said they would try to work within the two days allocated, but would revise their timetable should need arise. Reports said the trip had been called off after word spread that there were no funds. Even then, some MPs in the PAC, including Kerrow, said they were not worried because they had many ways of reaching Githongo. "We are determined to get to the bottom of this matter and those trying to sabotage our trip to London will not succeed.

Meanwhile, the Narc election board has called for thorough investigations into the Anglo Leasing scandal. The board chairman, Alex Muriithi, said all persons found to be involved in the scandal must face the law. But he said it was unfortunate that Finance minister David Mwiraria was hounded out of office before investigations were complete. "I believe Mwiraria is innocent, but let us leave the matter to the investigators," he said.

And former Transparency International (TI) executive director Gladwell Otieno on Wednesday said the Narc Government was giving excuses to delay the prosecution of corrupt officials. She said such excuses as "we are still investigating", "the other guys are just as bad" and "its not my fault" were being used to delay investigations.

She said the civil society had been given excuses from Government from mid-2004 about inaction on the resurgence of grand corruption. Plot to divert attention Opposing calls to establish a commission of inquiry over the Anglo Leasing scandal, Otieno said there was no need for such a commission as suggested by Ford Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo.

"One can imagine the Government very happily granting the resources for such a commission, including generous sitting allowances, Otieno said. She said the release of the Goldenberg report was a plot to divert attention from the Anglo Leasing scandal.

She was speaking at the Panafric Hotel, Nairobi, during a workshop on corruption where she delivered a paper. The workshop sponsored by Transparency International, the Centre for Law and Research International (Clarion) and Name and Shame Corruption Networks campaign.

The 76 non-governmental organisations that were represented at the workshop plan mass action, which could come as early as tomorrow, to force President Kibaki to act on corruption.