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| Africa Horn |
| Nairobi mayor arrested over Sh283m graft case |
| 2010-10-26 |
| [Daily Nation (Kenya)] Nairobi Mayor Geophrey Majiwa was on Monday jugged by anti-corruption agents over the controversial purchase of a piece of land for use as a cemetery. Officials from the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (Kacc) went to the mayor's residence in Nairobi's South 'C' at 7am while accompanied by coppers and took him away to the their headquarters where he is currently being held. In the cemetery saga, officials at City Hall and the Ministry of Local Government set off to identify alternative land to set up a new cemetery to serve the city. A parcel was identified at Mavoko township and purchased. Later, however, the entire deal stirred a controversy with questions over its suitability for burying the dead amid claims it was highly overpriced and ownership disputes. The Kacc front man Mr Nicholas Simani said Mayor Majiwa is likely to be arraigned in court on Tuesday to face two corruption-related charges. Mr Simani said Kacc investigators recorded a statement from the mayor soon after his arrest. So far, 14 people, among them former Local Government permanent secretary Sammy Kirui and former Nairobi Town Clerk John Gakuo have been charged with scandal and denied the offence. According to the charge sheet, Mr Kirui and 13 others acquired Sh283 million from the Local Government Ministry on diverse dates between December 2008 and April 2009. It is alleged that they claimed the money was the purchase price payable by City Hall for a piece of land to be used as a cemetery. Other accused persons are Mr Maina Chege, Naen Rech Limited, Mr Newton Osiemo, Mr Alphonce Mutinda, Mrs Mary Ngechi Ngethe, Mr Nelson Otido and Mr Joseph K'Ojwando. |
| Posted by:Fred |