E-Clips:- Business Pictorial - Uhuru In Bid To Link Mwiraria To Anglo Leasing Scam

Mr Uhuru Kenyatta wants Finance minister David Mwiraria put back squarely at the heart of the security passports scandal. Mwirarias name was expunged from the report of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following a Government motion that introduced changes to the report.

The PAC, then chaired by Mr Omingo Magara, had accused Mwiraria of complicity in the Sh2.4 billion passports scandal. However, when Government introduced the changes, the House rejected the amended report. But yesterday Uhuru, who is both Leader of the Official Opposition and chairman of the PAC, said he would re-introduce the report in Parliament and ask the House to adopt it.

Speaking after a PAC meeting at Parliament Buildings, Uhuru said they have resolved to bring to the House a Motion to adopt the committees special report. Uhuru said the report on the procurement of the security passport equipment would be brought back in its entirety. "The Executive lacks the political will to act decisively on the financial scandals unearthed during its current term of office," said Uhuru.

Uhuru said the PAC was currently waiting for a special audit report from the Controller and Auditor General on the importation of maize and subsequent distribution of famine relief food in the country. The audit was ordered prior to the end of the previous session last year and its expected to be tabled in the House when it reconvenes. PAC resolved to request the Controller and Auditor and General to undertake special audits on the Silversonic forensic contract for the purchase of security vehicles at a cost of $90 million (about Sh6.9 billion).

PAC also wants an audit of the purchase of communication satellite equipment (band width spectrum) and payments to Universal Satspace at a cost of $40 million (about Sh3 billion) and the Sh4.2 billion forensic labs project for the police. Other projects the PAC wants investigated are the handling of police communications equipment set to cost Sh22 billion and the reported purchase of civilian ships from Spain for conversion to military use.

Uhuru, who was flanked by five PAC members, said these projects were queried in the House during debate on the Budget, but the minister could neither provide the contract documents nor offer satisfactory explanations. Uhuru said PAC is seeking to identify transactions where Government offices have defied the laid down financial and procurement regulations resulting in the loss of taxpayers money to fraudsters.

The committee thanked all those who have consistently supported the war against corruption. Members commended the British High Commissioner, Sir Edward Clay, and former PS John Githongo for standing to be counted among the anti-corruption crusaders.