Central bank head decries 'persecution' over Sh1.2b deal
Central Bank of Kenya Governor Njuguna Ndung’u was the accounting officer on a committee that awarded a security tender now under probe by the anti-corruption agency, a court was told yesterday.
The Director of Public Prosecution, who wants Prof Ndung’u held liable, told a court that the CBK governor sanctioned the “irregular” award of a Sh1.2 billion tender to Horsebridge Networks Systems East Africa Limited for the installation of security software at the Central Bank.
However, in a rejoinder Prof Ndung’u told the court he was the victim of a vicious witch-hunt, sensationally comparing himself to Jesus Christ who was vilified for the sins of others.
Citing a biblical verse Prof Ndung’u said: “I have relied on Jesus’s account as he was condemned to death on allegations of blasphemy… to deal with your enemies, accuse them of witchcraft, international crimes and corruption… These are the new order to discredit individuals. Kenya has chosen corruption to destroy people’s (reputations).”
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission told the court Prof Ndung’u should face trial over the matter.
“The governor should be prosecuted at the trial court because the sufficiency of the evidence can only be determined by that court,” Mr David Ruto of the EACC said.
Prof Ndung’u, who had filed a petition seeking to stop his prosecution, obtained temporary orders stopping his arrest. He claims that the action is malicious and unconstitutional.
CBK awarded the tender to Horsebridge through a letter dated February 24, last year. Since then, however, Horsebridge has not signed a contract.
Through lawyer Donald Kipkorir, Prof Ndung’u argued that EACC and the DPP had no evidence to put him on trial and if there was, then the CBK board and the tendering committee should also be at the dock.
“Why is the prosecution (being) discriminatory?” he queried.
The lawyer said that Prof Ndung’u was in Paris representing the country in a workshop when the news broke out.
“This was meant to malign his name and take him down.”
However, the anti-graft agency maintained that the governor “has an opportunity to prove his innocence at the trial court”.
Mr Ruto said Prof Ndung’u was aware of on-going investigations on the matter and ought not to act like the allegations were new to him.
“The fact that the media highlighted the issue of his imminent arrest did not prejudice the petitioner to a right to have a fair trial,” he said.
The DPP maintained that he has not contravened the constitution by recommending the prosecution of the governor saying that he followed due process and acted within his mandate and role.
A ruling will be delivered on October 22.
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