Sialai to shed light in Anglo Leasing case
National Assembly clerk Michael Sialai has been summoned to appear in court today and testify in the Sh1.3 billion Anglo-Leasing case against former Finance Minister Chris Obure and two former Permanent Secretaries.
Sialai is expected to confirm the authenticity of letters from the National Assembly in relation to one of the 18 Anglo Leasing-type scandal contracts.
Among the letters, is one dated December 19, 2006 by the Office of the Clerk to the then defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission which says the contracts received annual estimates of budgetary expenditure.
Arbitrary expenditure
The letter seen by People Daily is signed by the late S.W Ndindiri; a former clerk at the National Assembly which indicates that none of the Anglo- Leasing projects was presented to the House for debate and approval for financing.
“During the years under reference (1996/97 to 2003/04), the record we( National Assembly) have is that of the presentation of the Annual Estimates of expenditure which for each year lump together all ministries and government departments and their annual financial provision,” the letter reads in part.
Ndindiri is said to have informed the anti-corruption commission that “the Hansard would therefore not reflect any debate on the individual projects.”
The court summons against Sialai came after Obure referred to the letter from National Assembly in his second defence hearing day.
Obure in his defence yesterday revealed through correspondences that Parliament approved the budget estimates for the Anglo-Leasing security and postal projects contrary to the prosecution allegation.
Prosecution led by Peter Kiprop, objected to Obure’s defence counsels’ use of the letter, to prove that there was no arbitrary expenditure of public funds on Sh1.3 billion contract.
“The document is not from the anti-corruption commission or the Director of Public Prosecutions. Its authenticity cannot be confirmed, so it can’t be used,” said the Prosecution
But trial magistrate Ann Mwangi directed that Sialai must attend court today.
