Ngilu impeachment takes twist with ‘forged’ KRA files

By KITAVI MUTUA

The plan to impeach Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu took a twist yesterday after it emerged that one of the grounds for her removal could be based on forged Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) documents.

The notice of the motion by County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Kilonzo lists 12 grounds for removing the governor from office.

However, one of the issues raised is still being investigated by the police.

Mr Kilonzo reads a conflict of interest in the purchase of a stone crusher for the devolved government and attached several documents to support his claims.

He says that based on import documents, the contract to supply, deliver and install the machine with a capacity to crush 100-120 tonnes per hour was awarded to company associated with the governor’s family.

Among the documents supporting the claim are an import declaration form from KRA, invoices from the Chinese suppliers and county tendering reports.

The documents are supported by a sworn affidavit by Yatta Kwa Vonza Ward Representative John Kisangau Mbaki.

The crusher is in his ward. Mr Mbaki says he has evidence of impropriety.

However, the governor’s lawyers scrutinised the documents and the evidence given by the ward representatives and said the import declaration forms were forged.

According to Mrs Ngilu’s lead counsel Martin Oloo, the documents were altered by inserting phone contacts to create the imprression that the governor’s family is linked to the deal.

“A phone number of one Billy Indeche was inserted in the import declaration form number E180995400 to make it look like he was the contact person for the purchase of the crusher,” Mr Oloo’s statement to police reads.

The lawyer added that whoever added Mrs Ngilu’s son-in-law’s number to the document committed forgery to achieve a malicious intent.

The lawyer said the Kitui county government has authentic documents for the Sh85.3 million contract, adding that it was awarded to EDN George Diesel Ltd.

Documents from KRA seen by the Nation show the two forms have the same serial number but different contact details.

The ones submitted to the Assembly by Mr Mbaki bear Mr Indeche’s phone number while the name George Mungai appears on those with the governor’s lawyers.

The invoice issued by Shanghai Zenith Minerals Sales Ltd – the Chinese firm which supplied the crusher – is also altered with Mr Mungai’s number replaced with Mr Indeche’s.