Kenyans have told Retired President Mwai Kibaki to return the Ksh 25 million shillings that was used to pay school fees for his two nephews.
Former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura yesterday revealed that retired Kibaki used his influence to give his two grandchildren scholarships at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia.
Muthaura told the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee that Kibaki acted within the law to have the scholarships awarded to the two students. It is not clear how much was paid for the scholarships.
“That was presidential discretion to award scholarships. The president, as the Chief Executive of the country, has a lot of discretion on budget,” he said. Muthaura is chairman of Kenya Revenue Authority board.
He said he received instructions from the former head of state to have the scholarships approved.
Muthaura said Philip Githinji, a nephew of Kibaki, had lost his job at Oil Lybia and was unable to cater for his children’s education abroad.
He told the committee chaired by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi that Kibaki had first written to him to have Ian Nderitu get the scholarship, but later made a verbal communication to have Sandra Njeri included. Githinji is the father of the two.
Kenyans have now moved to social media to demand that the former head of state returns the money. In fact some of them want the amount returned with interest.
As an uncle, retired President Mwai Kibaki awarded his nephews scholarships amounting to Sh20 million of tax payers’ money.
Should he be asked to return the money? pic.twitter.com/AcgyTC26Lg— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) October 2, 2018
20 million of tax payers money and you are still asking whether he should return it!? ? What’s wrong with you people?
— Evance Omondi (@Lordevanso) October 2, 2018
In countries where people use common sense he could have been asked to return it regardless of how old he is.
— J munene (@JafMunene) October 2, 2018
“Should he be asked to return the money?”…..what kind of question is that? He should be charged with fraud, fined then jailed for one and a half months…..with no golf! At least some of us will have a chance of visiting him in jail……he was overall, not too bad a president!
— oliver wabwire (@oliverwabwire) October 2, 2018
Irregardless of the purpose of the money, ho ought to return but we do have grave cases where people have made away with money meant to uplift/equip hospitals
— electoral justice (@dennisomanga) October 2, 2018