Muthaura in trouble over Sh25m taxes used for kibaki kin fees
Former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura. FILE PHOTO | NMG
A parliamentary committee wants former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura and former President Mwai Kibaki’s private secretary, Prof Nick Wanjohi, reprimanded for acting on a purported presidential directive to get a scholarship of Sh25.5 million for two relatives of the former Head of State.
In a report, the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee accused Mr Muthaura of communicating instructions on behalf of the former president to Prof Crispus Kiamba, the then permanent secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, to facilitate the award of scholarships to two children of Mr Kibaki’s nephew.
The two were studying in Australia while Kibaki was the Head of State.
Ian Nderitu Githinji had done two and a half years pursuing a master’s in Analytics when his father, Philip Githinji, asked Mr Kibaki for help while his sister, Sandra Githinji, was to pursue a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design.
“Ambassador Francis Muthaura and Prof Nick Wanjohi should be reprimanded for acting on a purported presidential directive that did not meet the requirements of Article 135 of the Constitution,” reads the report.
“Ambassador Francis Muthaura and Prof Nick Wanjohi could not provide any proof of official communication from the President pursuant to the provisions of Article 135 of the Constitution that requires a decision of the President in the performance of any function of the President under the Constitution shall be in writing and shall bear the seal and signature of the President.”
Auditor-General Edward Ouko had questioned the expenditure of Sh3.74 million being payment of scholarship for the two students in Australia.
He said the money was paid through voucher number 11200 on June 29, 2015 in favour of the PS Ministry of Foreign Affairs in respect of the two students in Australia
When he appeared before the committee, Prof Kiamba told lawmakers that he received instruction from Prof Wanjohi to facilitate the two needy students.
According to the report, upon getting the instructions from Prof Wanjohi Prof Kiamba wrote to then Head of Public Service Mr Muthaura requesting for his approval and he was granted.
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