Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri woes seem not to end any soon after he was summoned over alleged illegal payment of Sh1.8 billion for maize supply. The Former CS was on Monday grilled for hours by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on the matter. Kiunjuri was summoned through a letter seen by the Standard, dated January 14.
He was put to task to explain the circumstances behind the withdrawal of the said funds from the Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund at Central Bank. The billions were reportedly paid to a Private firm as pending bills after the Ministry purchase maize during 2016/2017 financial year.
It also emerged that the procurement process was undertaken during the tenure of former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary William Bett as Agriculture Cabinet Secretary but Kiunjuri is the one who made the payment to the company in question. Kiunjuri has been accused of making payment contrary to the Public Finance Management Regulations, 2015.
The sacked CS spent part of his Monday afternoon at the EACC headquarters where he was pinned to give his side of the story over the alleged saga at Kilimo House. The sleuths also grilled Former Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe as probe into the matter gain momentum.
President Uhuru sacked Kiunjuri during the State of the Nation address a week ago. Kiunjuri thanked the President for the job he was offered. He also insisted that he had done nothing wrong, adding that he foresaw his sacking.
During his tenure, Kiunjuri faced endless criticisms over his performance. The embattled Former CS, however, said he was happy Uhuru appreciated the role he's played in his docket.
“I’m glad that President Kenyatta acknowledged that agricultural production at all levels has gone up and I have gained immeasurable experience and exposure. I had an insider’s view of how the government works courtesy of President Kenyatta,” he said.
On Oct 20, 2018, President Uhuru dressed him down after maize farmers decried lack of payment for maize supplied. Uhuru questioned Kiunjuri to account for Sh2 billion he had received from the Treasury.
"In the 2018 budget we had more than Sh2 billion set aside for maize farmers but the next thing we hear the farmers have not been paid then you hear there is a farmer who has delivered maize worth Sh200 million. I have land and not a small piece of land. Please tell me which farmer delivers maize valued at Sh200 million?" he said.