Push to investigate MPs in Linturi probe over bribery claims

Just a day after the select committee tabled its report exonerating Linturi from the fake fertiliser scandal, opposition MPs say the givers and takers of alleged illicit cash must be held to account.

The Azimio legislators want a twin probe by the Powers and Privileges Committee of the National Assembly and the anti-graft agency.

Busia Women Representative Catherine Omanyo, who was a member of the committee, has publicly claimed there was an attempt to influence her.

“There was a lot of money, a lot. As late as Sunday we had not voted, one approached me. They knew we would vote on Monday because the vote was done 9 am on Monday and when we deferred on this we went ahead and came up with a dissenting opinion,” Omanyo said.

So far, there is no solid evidence that any member of that committee was bribed.

However, the issue of kickbacks has frequently rocked Parliament.

Malava MP Malulu Injendi and his Ainabkoi counterpart Samuel Chepkonga, who were members of the committee, refuted the bribery claims.

The two were part of the six Kenya Kwanza MPs in the probe team who voted to save Linturi

Speaking to the Star, the two lawmakers termed as untrue allegations that money was offered to save the CS.

“Just look at the voting pattern, it was Kenya Kwanza versus Azimio. Do you need to bribe the Kenya Kwanza or do you need to bribe the ones from the opposition to do their opposition job?” Chepkonga said.

“I am the chairman of the National Prayer Breakfast, my friend. I have a master's in theology. There was nothing like that.”

Injendi on his part said he was unaware of any attempts to bribe the select team.

“Not true,” Ijendi responded through SMS when asked about the allegations of bribes to influence voting.

The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee chairman John Mbadi while condemning claims of bribery demanded that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission carries out investigations to clear any doubts.

MPs have the mandate to oversight the government and represent constituents, a role that requires the highest level of integrity.

“I think those are not issues that you can just wish away. In fact the amount has been mentioned and there is consistency in the amount,” Mbadi said.

“The day before yesterday (Monday), the figure of Sh5 million was mentioned. On Monday the same amount was still being mentioned. To me, that is a serious matter more so that this is an issue that is of serious interest to the country in terms of compromising food security.”

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Mbadi insisted that only a thorough probe would dispel doubts on the integrity of Parliament and its ability to probe corruption.

“This matter needs to be dealt with by the Powers and Privileges Committee and it may even go to extent of asking EACC to investigate because it is very unfortunate, and if it happened then the members affected have a lot of explanations to make.”

Similar attempts by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo on Monday to have the allegations probed by the Privileges team were dismissed by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

According to Wetang’ula, that would amount to discussing colleagues without substantive motion.

“You cannot cast aspersions against your colleagues without a specific motion against any or several of them,” the Speaker ruled.

The Powers and Privileges Committee is chaired by the Speaker.

The committee’s main function is to examine every matter involving breach of privilege of the House or of the members of any committee referred to it by the House or by the Speaker.

Yesterday, Butere MP Tindi Mwale also backed calls for investigations warning that a bad precedent would be set if no action is taken on the  allegations.

“We need to investigate the allegations. We need to use the relevant institutions as enshrined in our Constitution to do investigations to see that the allegations of bribery are substantiated,” Mwale said.

Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, who sponsored the motion, on Monday claimed that Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo was offered Sh5 million to vote against the allegations.

“Yes, there were allegations of money exchanges. My sister Omanyo here was given Sh5 million but she declined. It is open and known that people here have been walking and enjoying huge sums of money,” Wamboka said when he addressed the press in Parliament.

Omanyo stood by his side as they addressed the press.

Linturi on Monday survived the ouster bid after majority of the 11-member committee found the allegations unsubstantiated.

Committee chairperson Naomi Waqo said that the majority of the members found all the three allegations against the CS to be unsubstantiated.

"The committee had the opportunity to sit and allow all the parties to present themselves," she said.

Those who voted to save Lenturi were Naomi Waqo (Marsabit,), Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South), Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), George Murugara (Tharaka), Kassim Tandaza (Matuga), Jane Maina (Kirinyaga) and Malulu Injendi (Malava).

Robert Mbui (Kathiani), TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka),  Catherine Omanyo (Busia) and Yusuf Farah (Wajir West) differed with their colleagues and penned a dissenting opinion.