Ruaraka ghosts resurface to haunt Matiang’i after Oscar Sudi’s remarks

A latest report on the Ruaraka Land Saga by Auditor General Edward Ouko has unearthed anomalies in other multi-million land compensation payouts that could trigger fresh investigations at the National Land Commission.

In the report, Ouko says he cannot confirm whether the Sh1.5 billion that had been wired to controversial businessman Francis Mburu for the Ruaraka compensation was procedural.

In stark revelations, Ouko says the Sh3.3 billion could have been inflated to cater for what NLC said was a 15 per cent disturbance allowance.

The explosive report, which caused a storm in Parliament, endorsed a probe against Swazuri, Mburu, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi and Education PS Belio Kipsang for their roles in the Ruaraka land saga.

The report was later shot down in the House after senators failed to garner the requisite numbers to adopt it.

The acquisition of the 13.7-acre parcel for two public schools,  Ruaraka High and Drive Inn primary, was executed during Matiang’i’s tenure as Education CS and Belio as his Principal Secretary.

In what could reignite vicious political fireworks in Parliament in the coming days, National Assembly Public Accounts Committee Chairman Opiyo Wandayi yesterday warned that his watchdog panel will leave no stone unturned.

“The PAC is going to exercise its constitutional mandate and examine the matter with the usual diligence and bring it to its logical conclusion. The public must rest assured that PAC will spare no efforts to get to the bottom of the matter,” the Ugunja MP pledged.

The acquisition of the 13.7-acre parcel for two public schools,  Ruaraka High and Drive Inn primary, was executed during Matiang’i’s tenure as Education CS and Belio as his Principal Secretary.

In what could reignite vicious political fireworks in Parliament in the coming days, National Assembly Public Accounts Committee Chairman Opiyo Wandayi yesterday warned that his watchdog panel will leave no stone unturned.

“The PAC is going to exercise its constitutional mandate and examine the matter with the usual diligence and bring it to its logical conclusion. The public must rest assured that PAC will spare no efforts to get to the bottom of the matter,” the Ugunja MP pledged.

Wandayi said his committee is now fully seized of the Ruaraka land matter, signalling that they could begin grilling the top figures involved.

Matiangi, largely known in government circles as the ‘Super Minister’, is a close confidant of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his public grilling is likely to generate political heat.

Matiangi and Deputy President William Ruto are said not to be in accord and the DP’s allies have been baying for his blood in recent days.

“We will soon even expose the details on the Ruaraka land scandal because they think we don’t know what is happening,” threatened Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, a key ally of the DP. He spoke after the withdrawal of security to select Ruto lieutenants.

Matiang’i chairs the powerful National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee, which is largely seen to elbow Ruto’s out of the way and diminish his role in government.

However, the probe will be a double-edged sword for Ruto’s allies, since their man Belio is also adversely mentioned.

In the audit, Ouko has given the NLC an adverse opinion, meaning that its financial statements are misrepresented, misstated and do not accurately reflect its financial performance.

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