Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga’s name was dragged into the controversy over a Sh28 billion project to upgrade the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital ( MTRH).
Hebert Ojwang’, the businessman at the centre of the storm, sensationally alleges in the tape he gave to a parliamentary committee that Raila received campaign money from the project contractor, China Wu Yi, ahead of the 2013 General Election.
The Standard was unable to get a comment from the former Prime Minister yesterday on the allegations made by Ojwang’, who claimed to be the facilitator and brains behind the project.
He also alleged that he lost Sh870 million as commission for linking the Chinese firm to the Government after the project was hijacked and its cost inflated on the orders of Deputy President William Ruto.
He claimed that MTRH Director John Kibosia walked into his office on Milimani Road in Nairobi and told him that the DP would meet them at his Harambee Annex office.
Caleb Kositany, an aide to the DP and the Chinese team were also required to be present during the meeting.
“We went as required to brief him on the arrangements made so far. Only a week after visiting Ruto’s offices, another meeting was called and I was told that the DP had given instructions that I surrender the agreement document signed between me and the Chinese companies to Kositany,” he told the Public Investment Committee of the National Assembly.
“I refused to do so until I consulted my lawyers, and the Chinese team wrote to me officially withdrawing the agreement and specifying the reasons for their action. This did not go down well with Kibosia and Kositany,” he said.
In the recording, Ojwang’ argues that if he is to be kept out of the deal due to this links with Raila, then a Mr Liu from the Chinese firm should also not do business in Kenya because Ojwang’ “organised for him to meet Raila and he paid him”.
The conversation begins where Ojwang’ is informed by a person who appears to be an interpreter for Liu, referred to in the tape as “chairman”, that he is no longer suitable as a facilitator in the deal due to his links with Raila.
Liu (speaking in broken English): People from Ruto’s office sent message to our embassy.
Ojwang: People from Ruto’s office?
Liu: I don’t know if they are from Ruto’s office, but they called the (Chinese) embassy and spoke to (the) ambassador. You are not suitable for this project because before you were working for Raila.
Ojwang’: It’s not suitable for me to do business because of Raila? Okay. What do you want us to do then? Don’t bring Raila here! Somebody is interested in handing over this project to someone else… I had taken him (Liu) to Mr Raila’s office. Does it mean Mr Liu cannot do business in Kenya because he helped Raila during his campaign with money?”
At one time, the conversation degenerates into a shouting match where the businessman quips: “Mr Liu cannot shout at me simply because I am in his office. You can’t take advantage of me. I am not desperate, I am a businessman and I am Mr Liu’s partner. I took him there and he gave Raila five million.”
Ojwang’ is then advised to agree with a Mr Kositany and Dr Kibosia on how his interests will be safeguarded.
Liu: “Caleb and me and you, Kibosia will protect you. You can call us, we can be meeting somewhere… for official meeting, don’t show up. When we go to discuss the project in Eldoret, don’t show up. You cannot come up in big meetings, we will protect your interests. They don’t want you to attend this meeting because it’s government-to-government.”
Owang’: How can I be sure that the agreement with Caleb’s company will protect my interests? I should then give you the list of those to benefit.
Liu: You will agree with Caleb and Kibosia.
Ojwang’: Does this now cancel the Tanathi deal? Mavoko NSSF, now you cancel because you don’t want to deal with me?
Ojwang then says he will not take the offer until he has consulted widely, including with his lawyers.
The Public Investment Committee (PIC) said it will analyse allegations brought to its attention on the alleged Sh28 billion hospital scam before determining whether it is worth a probe.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan, the committee chairman, yesterday said they would consider the veracity of the information given to them by Ojwang’ before considering if it meets the threshold for investigation by the watchdog team.
“We have asked the whistleblower to provide us with more information. Once he brings it, we will look at the nature of the allegations and make a decision. We will analyse everything given to us to make an informed decision,” said Keynan.
Ojwang’ appeared before the PIC last week where he alleged that the proposed cost of a Sh28 billion contract to build a new referral hospital, just metres from MTRH, was inflated by Sh11 billion.
He linked the Deputy President to the alleged scam, saying that it was through Ruto’s influence that the deal, which he claimed to have been co-ordinating at a cost of Sh17 billion, was taken away from him and another deal for construction of another facility mooted.
-standardmedia.co.ke
