Githongo said the defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) never provided him with any information regarding assets allegedly acquired by Dr Murungaru from proceeds of corrupt activities or the outcome of its investigations regarding 18 security-related Government contracts.
“No analysis was conducted by the investigators to establish whether Dr Murungaru had rapidly acquired wealth from the Anglo-Leasing projects,” Githongo said during cross-examination by veteran lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, who is representing the former minister in the defamation case.
Githongo was hard put to explain how he concluded in his report to the then President Mwai Kibaki, dated November 22, 2005, that Dr Murungaru and his associates had “resurrected” the contentious contracts that were carried over from the Kanu regime. He acknowledged the existence of the contracts but said their legitimacy was questionable.
The former top civil servant said he periodically updated Kibaki on the progress of the investigations since nothing appeared to be done at the highest levels of Government despite the public outcry of corruption and underhand dealings.
Githongo claimed that Murungaru expressly sent emissaries to him to “go slow” on the probe and met the former minister twice to discuss his alleged role in the Anglo-Leasing scandal. ” I did not get confirmation or denial that he had sent emissaries to me,” he testified before High Court Judge Joseph Sergon.
Githongo recalled having discussed with then President Kibaki on February 22, 2004, about widespread corruption that had permeated his administration. “I explained to the former Head of State that Murungaru’s Cabinet colleagues were referring to him as Muici (thief). He directed me to get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.
The former PS said a senior politician-whom he declined to identify for unspecified reasons-summoned him on May 24, 2004 and advised him to treat carefully at the risk of his life since Murungaru and his associates were capable of eliminating him for implicating him in the corruption scandal.
Githongo will continue with his testimony on Tuesday.
