Whistleblower told to end probe
2007-01-24 21:18
Nairobi - A man identified as Kenya's former finance minister warned a whistleblower to drop his probe into a high-level corruption case saying it could bring down the government, said an audio tape posted on the internet.
The tape was posted by Kenya's former top anti-corruption official John Githongo who has become increasingly critical of President Mwai Kibaki's government for failing to pursue financial scandals he says involved top officials.
Last week Kenya formally cleared former ministers he had accused of blocking inquiries into the so-called Anglo-Leasing scandal, which Githongo said involved state tenders worth hundreds of millions of dollars awarded to phantom firms.
The Kenya anti-corruption commission, with whom Githongo has had an increasingly acrimonious dispute, threw out his allegations saying he was not an investigator and that the tape he presented as evidence was unintelligible.
Githongo made the tape available publicly on Tuesday by posting it on the internet. It was then aired on local media.
In it, a clear voice Githongo's web blog identified as former finance minister David Mwiraria, warned him to end his probe.
Public outcry
"(This thing), if we are not careful, will come down with our government," the man identified as Mwiraria told Githongo. "What I am suggesting, why don't you and anti-corruption... drop this matter. I will get to the root of the matter."
Githongo's blog said the conversation took place in the presence of the then-justice and constitutional affairs minister Kiraitu Murungi.
Both ministers resigned from government at the start of 2006 following a public outcry by Kenyans and donors disillusioned by Kibaki's failure to stamp out graft as he vowed after replacing Daniel arap Moi in 2002.
They both denied the charges and in November 2006, Kibaki reinstated Murungi as energy minister.
Neither man has commented directly on the blog audio tape, but Murungi has repeatedly said the tape was not audible and Mwiraria has dismissed Githongo's allegations.
Kenya's attorney-general said this week that investigations of wrongdoing in Anglo Leasing were under way.
Government sources said although Mwiraria was a friend of Kibaki's since their university days, the president was unlikely to reinstate him in the cabinet until his name was totally cleared of direct involvement in Anglo Leasing.
Mwiraria admitted signing some of the Anglo Leasing payments, but said his officers in the finance ministry misled him.
Analysts said Githongo's new tape had put paid to prospects of Mwiraria returning to the government, although many Kenyans still believe Kibaki has kept the post of minister of lands vacant for him until he was cleared.