RADICAL SURGERY - THREE YEARS DOWN THE LINE

As the ghosts of Anglo Leasing and other related scandals resurfaces, and we begin to hear the all too familiar hitherto faceless and nameless names of all those who are involved, we must pause and take a critical look at the Kiraitu Murungi inspired radical surgery occasioned at the judiciary in 2003. Courtesy of John Githongo, we can now confidently name the beneficiaries of that radical surgery as we look at their involvement in either playing safe, being inactive or trying to conceal evidence. As can be adduced from evidence, the theft occasioned by Anglo Leasing and related scandals is way past 100 billion Kenya Shillings. And the movers and pushers of Anglo leasing scandals are the ones who presided over the so called radical surgery at the judiciary, and other procurement scandals, ostensibly to pave way for Anglo leasing projects.

Before moving to clean the judiciary, Nak brigade had to secure political power first. Kiraitu Murungi was made minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs. His deputy was Robinson Njeru Githae, and their Director of Legal Affairs was Gichara Kabaara. Then we had David Mwiraria at Finance ably assisted by Joseph Magari as his permanent secretary, and Joseph Kinyua was the Financial Secretary.

Chris Murungaru was made Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security at the Office of the President. There was also Njenga Karume at Special Programmes and Mirugi Kariuki as assistant minister in charge of Internal Security. These gentlemen were ably assisted by Francis Muthaura as Head of Civil Service, Dave Mwangi, Zakary Kamau, Cyrus Gituai, Simon Njau and Stanely Murage as permanent secretaries at the Office of the President.

As comptroller of State House was Matere Kereri. Then there was Alfred Gitonga, Jimmy Wanjigi, Isaiah Kabira and a plethora of other busybodies around the President.

At Ministry of Education, George Saitoti was ably assisted by Beth Mugo and Kalemi Mwiria as Assistant ministers. Their permanent secretary, Karega Mutahi had to be brought back from retirement, because he was the only qualified Kenyan alive to be PS at Education. At the head of the political table was President Kibaki, the General himself, overseeing and giving able direction to his commanders and comrades.s Having secured the political front, it was time for radical surgery at the judiciary. In came Johnson Evan Gicheru as Chief Justice, Charles Kinyanjui Njai as Registrar of the High Courts of Kenya, Edward Muriithi as Deputy Registrar, John Nyamu as head of the Constitutional Division of the High Court, Hatari Waweru as head of Milimani Commercial Courts, Meoli as Chief Magistrate, Milimani Commercial Courts. The Registrar General had to be B W Gachegu ably assisted by two ladies who belong. Muthoni Kimani was made the head of Litigation while Wanjuki Muchemi was made Solicitor General, and the Judiciary was secured. The Courts having been secured in this radical surgery and made safe, it was time to up the drive in Anglo Leasing scandals.

But one more problem; the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission and the CID. Aaron Ringera became the safe bet for KACC. He had been tried and tested and passed. He was used to secure the courts and had to be paid back. John Kamau, having worked closely with the multi talented Kamau Kuria, was made Director of CID from nowhere.

With the benefit of hind sight, we can now ably piece together the then thought process. Other possible areas were still to be secured. Michael G. Waweru had to be hand picked to be the Commissioner General in the money minting Kenya Revenue Authority. Mwangi Kingori had to be made Nairobi Provincial Police Officer in readiness to being appointed police commissioner.

Lastly, the church had to be secured. And Mutava Musyimi became the sure bet. He was made Chairman of some anti corruption entity and his mouth staffed full. He would remain silent forever. The stage was perfectly set for Anglo Leasing and other related scandals, and having secured all fronts that could challenged the imminent looting, the Anglo Leasing agents and the NAK brigade started to engage LDP in endless side shows.

Having breached the MOU with impunity, the NAK/Anglo Leasing agents started claiming that LDP Leaders were power hungry and were intent on taking over power via the back door. In this chorus they were ably joined by Paul Muite, Koigi Wa Wamwere, Norman Nyagah, Maina Kamanda and all their Kith and Kin. As LDP was being painted as power hungry, the NAK brigade were busy pushing all manner of dubious projects, Anglo Leasing being one of them. The net result is that Kenya has lost almost 100 billion in 8 months in 2003, as Kibaki watched. As the NAK/Anglo Leasing brigade painted LDP as power hungry, the kind of looting they engaged in has never been seen in Kenyan history or in the history of man kind. 100 billion plus in 8 months as the president watched? Not even Mobutu of Zaire could achieve such a feat. Having succeeded in portraying LDP as power hungry, and also having looted the country such massively, problem cropped from a very unlikely quarter. John Githongo, a sophisticated young Kenyan with roots from mount Kenya, but rooted in the Kenyan thought process could not play ball. His generation did not know about tribe and class. His generation grew in love with one united Kenya and could not afford to join in the looting spree.

He told the Lords of graft that his conscience could not allow him to preside over graft. And as the anti-graft chief, he would remain just that. He asked the Nyong'o kind of questions and soon, he found himself in exile. The man had to flee from his own people, because the NAK Brigade became vicious and his safety could not be guaranteed anymore.

Now with the benefit of hindsight, we can piece all these strange happenings and also know why a person who had broken a leg in an accident prior to the 2002 elections, all of a sudden became so sick so as to leave the reigns of power in the hands of the Lords of graft.

This was political conspiracy to steal from Kenya, and no one captured it better than Mutahi Ngunyi in his Sunday Nation column on 10th April 2005.

OTO OCTAVIAN