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Friday 25 April 2014

Kingi grilled over Sh145m house deal

Does it mean this guy has eight hands and three brains? If he's guilty he should be hanged. That's public money not his mothers or grandmothers.PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT Governor Amason Kingi's house that costed Sh145 million.

Governor Amason Kingi's house that costed Sh145 million.  

By DANIEL TSUMA NYASSY
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Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi was Friday questioned for three-and-a half hours by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over the procurement of his county mansion for Sh145 million.

Briefing reporters in Mombasa, EACC Deputy Secretary in charge of Operations, Mr Michael Mubea and Vice Chairperson Irene Keino, said the matter was under investigation.

“We confirm that the Kilifi Governor is here following allegations we received that the Kilifi County Government, in December 2013, irregularly and without following Public Procurement and Disposal Act, acquired the official residence of the governor at a sum of Sh145 million,” she said.

The officials said that the Kilifi County Secretary had also recorded his statement on Thursday. Ms Keino warned other governors and county officials that they would be dealt with “if they fail to follow the due procedure and the law in acquiring property”.

Mr Mubea said that it was premature to say whether the governor would be taken to court over the issue.

“Investigations do not always lead to court action. What we are doing at the moment is interviewing the governor. We wouldn’t want to divulge more information until later,” he said.

Mr Kingi dismissed the allegations against him as “lies”, reiterating that he had visited EACC “to put these lies in the grave”.

He said he came to the EACC offices of his own volition, adding: “I have always wanted to visit the EACC to put the record straight but I have always been told ‘wait, wait’”.

He said some of the allegations were ridiculous and included how small the governor’s bedroom was.

“I gave my explanation and some of the allegations against me are outrageous. I heard things which I never thought someone would tell this commission,” he said.

“I am very happy today that I came here to meet the commissioners. All the allegations are pure lies and I have put them to rest once and for all. From here, I can now go home and work”.

Asked the exact cost of the house, Mr Kingi said he was a lawyer by profession and would not know that.

“I think you should direct that question to the District Valuer.”

The governor said he did not know whether the EACC had visited the house in Kilifi.

At the same time, the EACC officials said the commission was investigating allegations of irregular award of a Kenya Ports Authority tender for design, manufacture, supply, testing and commissioning of a mobile harbour crane at a cost of $4,945,018 (Sh420m).

The commission was also investigating another claim of irregular tender award for a tugboat at a cost of $17,944,924 (Sh1.5bn).

“Also, our Kisumu office this morning apprehended a Kenya Revenue Authority official, National Transport and safety Agency (NTSA) staff and a broker on issues pertaining to issue falsifying the Corporation certificates,” said Mr Mubea

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