MCAs dismiss City Hall fraud probe as witchhunt
The ongoing probe at City Hall, Nairobi, has now taken a new twist with a section of the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) saying the matter is politically instigated.
In a surprising move, the ward representatives termed the investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) as "hot air".
The MCAs further accused the DCI sleuths of intimidating City Hall employees as they visit their offices.
"We are not here to interfere with the DCI investigations. Our concern is the way they conduct themselves. The era of intimidation is not with us and DCI must have a proper way of conducting their investigations,” Minority Whip Mark Mugambi lamented.
On his part, Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai asked President William Ruto to intervene, saying the investigative officers are being used to settle political scores.
“Kindly end this witch-hunt. Call the head of investigations to order and let these employees work in peace. You have the Office of the Attorney General, EACC and DCI units able to carry out their duties,” he said.
DCI officers have pitched camp at city hall as the probe linked to payments made to a number of firms intensifies.
According to the DCI, the Nairobi County government is suspected to have fraudulently made payments to nine companies yet no services were rendered.
In a letter dated July 21, the Director of DCI’s Investigations Bureau (IB) David Birech wrote to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja demanding a list of tender documents, requisitions by user department, award contracts, delivery and inspection reports and all local purchase orders issued to profiled nine companies believed to have been used to siphon the money.
“This office is investigating a case of suspected money laundering in which Nairobi County Government is alleged to have fraudulently made payments to companies which did not render services,” Birech wrote.
“We further request to assign officers who have knowledge of the various processes listed above to assist us with information on their roles and record statements to that effect,” the letter added.
The companies are Larsen Investment Company, Burasha General Suppliers Limited Tweem Limited, Future Link Limited, and Cloud Mobile Technologies Limited. Others are AR Pharmaceuticals Limited, Instabul Investment Limited, Ramecon Engineering Limited and Brigit West Limited.
On Wednesday this week, the DCI carted away crucial documents at City Hall for further probe.
