Drama as anti-corruption team barred from accessing Raila
There was drama at Cord leader Raila Odinga’s offices in Upper Hill, Nairobi on Thursday evening when Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives unsuccessfully tried to serve him with summons to record a statement over allegations surrounding the alleged misuse of Sh140 billion Eurobond cash.
The former Prime Minister, who remained holed up in his Capitol Hill office with his lawyers James Orengo and Paul Mwangi and Cord co-principal Moses Wetangula, has declined to honour summons from the anti-graft body.
Moments later, a second team of EACC detectives, accompanied by two armed Administration Police officers, arrived at Mr Odinga’s offices, further raising the tension.
The team was, however, was not allowed access into Mr Odinga’s office. It was at this point that the commission team used their Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle to block Capitol Hill building’s main gate.
SUMMONED
Shortly, Machakos senator Johnson Muthama arrived with a similar car and ordered his driver to also park at the gate, blocking it too. Minutes later, Mr Odinga and group walked out and disappeared into Nairobi Club, leaving EACC officers stranded.
The EACC, in justifying their action, have argued that the National Police Service Act (Chapter 82 Laws of Kenya) gives them powers to summon the Cord leader.
By also referring to the Leadership and Integrity Act (Chapter 182 Laws of Kenya), they could be insinuating that non-compliance may result to unpleasant consequences.