The National Assembly Public Accounts Committee is expected to conclude its investigations into the Sh1.9 billion National Youth Service scandal today.
Deputy President William Ruto’s allies, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Farouk Kibet, who were adversely mentioned by former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru, will not appear after all.
The Star has learnt the committee chaired by Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo is expected to conclude investigations with the appearance of Hillary Sigei, the managing partner at Sing’oei, Murkomen and Sigei Advocates.
However, Suba MP John Mbadi, who is also a member of the committee, said pressure from the Jubilee top leadership may have “influenced” the team’s decision.
“It is suspected Kibet is one of the main players in this. There was a discomfort to have him appear before the committee because it was believed he would expose the government,” Mbadi said.
Sigei appeared before the committee last week.
He was hard pressed to explain how his firm received payments believed to amount to Sh15 million, from Out of the Box Solutions,
that is also linked to the NYS scandal.
Sing’oei was directed by the committee to produce the firm’s bank statements dating back three years to the committee today.
As the investigations went on, Mbadi wrote to the committee chairman, explaining why it would be critical to invite Murkomen and Kibet to defend themselves against Waiguru’s claims.
Mbadi said he made the request after he noticed the committee was going slow on the matter.
However, by the time the committee was considering his letter, he was out of the country on official business.
“It was a committee decision, and there is nothing I can do about it,” Mbadi said.
In November, the legislator said, “The committee may not get to the bottom of this matter. Those seeking (to frustrate the probe) are from the office of the presidency, but it may not be the President himself.”
Mbadi, who spoke on a local TV station, said the amount of money lost in the scam is colossal, suggesting the country may have lost more than Sh10 billion.