Panic has gripped Parliament after CID officers nabbed five staff in connection with the alleged theft of Sh500 million Monday evening.
Contrary to the expectation that the investigation would be extended to senior Parliamentary staff and the leadership, it turned out the probe only targeted the juniors.
Legislators and some staff yesterday faulted the manner in which the probe is being done after the anti-graft sleuths opted for the finance officer, procurement officer, internal auditor and the store manager.
They lamented that the investigation is being carried out in a skewed manner to spare the ‘big fish’ by sacrificing the defenseless officials, Samuel Otieno Obudo(Finance), Keith Musyoka (procurement), Alloys Nyambariga Tinega (stores), George Omondi Arum (internal audit) and Benjamin Njagi (stores).
But even as the staff and Members of Parliament ponder over the turn of events, they poked holes on the weak governance structures at the August House and the increase appetite to defraud Kenyans through fraudulent means.
When contacted, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, who was the whistle blower, confirmed knowledge of the arrests, but indicated he was not aware of those arrested.
“I know of the arrests but not how many,” stated Muturi, who is also the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) chairman.
The Commission’s Secretary Senate clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye, however denied knowledge of the arrests in the Sh500million sleaze.
Nevertheless, what has sent shocks down the spine of many in Parliament, is how the institution could lose half a billion shillings without being noticed, yet those apprehended act at the behest of their bosses.
“There is more to this than meets the eye. Why are the arrests being done selectively? We know that these officers did not act on their own volition; we want to see more arrests made,” said a jubilee legislator who declined to be named.
He continued, “I welcome what is happening but we need to see more people held responsible. The legislature is an institutions mandated in law to oversight the operations and expenditure of other organs, it is sad that we are also caught up in corruption claims.”
Another MP also took issue with the CID officers over the manner in which the arrests were done.
“How did these investigators gain entry and make an arrest with the parliamentary premises. Who authorised the entry?” he questioned.
Even as some legislators appeared to be in the know on what had transpired, majority were in the dark, only expressing shock and disbelief.
Some staff who spoke to the Standard on condition of anonymity also demanded the PSC should be probe, arguing that some junior officers will be targeted to cover up the scam.
They also questioned how the CID officers gained entry into Parliament, without the knowledge of Parliamentary security and rounded up the five.
Tension in parliament following the arrests of five staff
