PS Dismisses Claim Over Sh2.7bn Passports Scam

Kenya Times

22 June 2004 Page: 4

THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Provincial Administration, Mr Dave Mwangi, yesterday refuted claims that he had denied knowledge of the controversial Sh2.7 billion passports scandal. Mwangi said he had already appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in his Harambee House office during which he presented a detailed report regarding the scandal. “I did not, and I repeat, I did not deny knowledge of the project as purported by a section of the media,” the PS said in a statement. The Press had earlier reported that the PS had denied knowledge of the scandal involving the Anglo Leasing Finance Company which has already paid back some of the money paid to it by the Government. “In spite of clarification on the correct position with the print media that gave the wrong information early last week, misrepresentation of the facts has maliciously continued unabated,” he said. Mr Mwangi said he had already instructed his lawyers to demand for retraction of the alleged misrepresentation of the facts which, he said, could be verified with the PAC chairman. “I presented my written report on the information regarding the issue as far as the matter of the passports project was handled in my office before the department was transferred to the Office of the Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs,” he said. The PS said he met the PAC chairman, Mr Omingo Magara, on June 3 together with the Chief Finance Officer, Mr F.K. Mwenda and the Under Secretary in charge of Finance, Mr J.M. Kirubi. He further clarified that at the end of his presentation, the chairman and other members had attempted to raise issues relating to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) forensic science laboratory project in which he sought for a formal request to be allowed to prepare a detailed response. “I sought the chairman’s indulgence and humbly asked that a formal request be addressed to me with specific details on what the committee wished to be enlightened upon to enable me and my team to prepare a detailed response,” he said.