Companies

Kinisu on the spot over conflicting Esaki resignation dates

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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Philip Kinisu. PHOTO | FILE

Anti-graft agency boss Philip Kinisu was Thursday hard-pressed to explain discrepancy in the dates indicated as when he resigned as an active director of a company associated with his family.

Documents Mr Kinisu tabled before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on Thursday showed that he resigned as director and shareholder of Esaki Limited in April 2016, contradicting his position on the matter during an earlier appearance before the House team.

“When you were here before, you provided documents that you resigned from Esaki Limited in 2008. No where did you show that you resigned in 2016,” said committee chairman Samuel Chapkonga.

Mr Kinisu’s interest at Esaki has raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest while he serves as chairman of the anti-graft agency.

At the time he assumed office at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), he was supposed to declare interests in other entities, according to resolutions by the commission.

“I did not register my links with Esaki Limited as a conflict of interest at the time I assumed office because I did not regard it as such,” said Mr Kinisu.

He said he resigned from Esaki in 2008 when he introduced his daughter into the business where she is currently the majority shareholder. In 2013, the board reinstated him as an inactive director at the company when his daughter proceeded overseas for studies.

Mr Kinisu said he resigned again in April 2016 as director and shareholder at Esaki but is still one of the two signatories of its account, alongside his wife.