Anglo Leasing deals got State approval, says Muthaura

Former Head of the Public Service Francis Muthaura yesterday told the anti-corruption court that the Anglo Leasing contracts received the necessary State approvals, including from then Attorney-General Amos Wako.

Mr Muthaura said he could not say the contracts were expensive because “the key matter” was whether the contract had gone through all the approval processes.

Mr Muthaura was testifying in a suit where former senior government officials and businessmen are facing charges related to the multi-billion shilling security tenders that the government has termed irregular.

A previous case fell apart in 2005 because of a lack of evidence. “I had looked at the contracts and realised they had the approval of the permanent secretary, the Attorney-General, and had also gone through the other processes,” said Mr Muthaura in his testimony yesterday.

Mr Wako is yet to testify in court.

Mr Muthaura said that in 2004, President Mwai Kibaki had asked him to find out what was wrong with the contracts following public outcry.

Several senior state officials were suspended to pave way for investigations. The suspension was later extended to include Cabinet ministers Kiraitu Murungi (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), Chris Murungaru (Internal Security), and David Mwiraria (Finance).

But they were late cleared and returned to the Cabinet.

Mr Muthaura said the late Mwiraria should be cleared from the Anglo Leasing suit and that former anti-graft czar John Githongo — who blew the whistle of contracts —was merely an adviser and not an investigator.

The hearing continues today.