DP William Ruto allies financed our kilig company, let him record a statement with EACC -Murathe

 

David Murathe, the Jubilee Vice Chairman. FILE

 

Controversial Jubilee vice-chairman David Murathe pulled Deputy President William Ruto’s name into the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) scandal.

Mr Murathe was on Friday examined at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission offices in Nairobi for over four hours. 

He explains his relationship with Kilig Limited that was purportedly awarded Sh4 billion tender to supply 450,000 personal protective equipment to KEMSA. 

He dismissed any embroilment in the company’s business and moved the blame to DP Ruto.

“I know Willbroad who is a partner at Kilig and a Mr Zhu, and I know at some point they were not able to secure financing for the provision of the kits that they had committed. 

They had a duty letter from KEMSA, they conveyed their shareholding to persons who are known associates of DP Ruto. So I came here to present that evidence today,” Mr Murathe said.

He noted that he foresees the EACC to summon DP Ruto to record a statement on the matter. Mr Murathe also demanded that anyone with knowledge on Covid-19 billionaires should forward it to the EACC offices.

On Wednesday, the DP, however, denied Mr Murathe’s links to Kemsa scandal, saying that he is more than happy that such theft is happening at a time when has been sidelined in government.

“The corruption “consultants”, brokers and conmen, some bankrupt in 2013, are now billionaires after looting while scapegoating William Samoei Ruto,” tweeted DP Ruto. 

Mr Murathe urged former senators Boni Khalwale and Johnson Muthama to appear before the EACC since they seem to know more about the scandal.

Mr Murathe defended the company recording that it was never awarded the alleged Sh4 billion contract.

“I know Kilig never delivered anything to Kemsa. I know Kilig was never paid a penny by Kemsa. I know that the order was cancelled before the date and the reason was budgetary constraints. I know all these because I asked Willbroad and he told me. My association with him is not in any business,” he said.

Kilig was registered in January and had no previous record of ever handling such a bulky tender nor dealing in medical supplies.

Despite his denial, the EACC still summoned Mr Murathe on the ground that there were claims that he is a signatory to bank accounts of the company.

"The commission is investigating allegations of procurement irregularities concerning the Covid-19 emergency supplies at Kemsa where Kilig Limited, a company you are a signatory to its bank account, is featured," EACC Twalib Mbarak wrote in his summoning letter.

Journalist Tony Gachoka, Willbroad’s brother, has gone on record claiming that many powerful people, including Mr Murathe, were culpable for the loss of billions in unscrupulous dealings and tenders at Kemsa.