Some of the original documents for the Anglo Leasing contracts got lost after being transferred from the government’s secret registry to the anti-corruption commission.
Retired Principal Records Management Officer Philip Langat told the court on Monday that the documents were handed over to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), now the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), in 2006.
The prosecution has been at pains to explain the whereabouts of original documents that were collected from the registry during investigations into the Anglo Leasing security contracts.
“Occasionally, KACC officers would come for the originals of some of the documents I had previously issued certified copies. With the permission of the permanent secretary, then Dave Mwangi, I would hand over the original documents or files containing the documents to KACC officers,” Mr Langat said.
The EACC had in its letter dated February 6, 2015, made an urgent request for original documents with the office of the Attorney-General, saying they were unable to trace them.
Yesterday, Mr Langat told the court that the movement of secret documents remains unclear.
“I am aware some original documents cannot be traced because may be the said originals were taken directly to the PS and may be the PS or any authorised officers did not release the documents to the secret registry,” he added.
The Evidence Act requires that original copies be produced during trial, except for instances of great exemption.