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The Nation , Kenya
December 9, 2010 Thursday
'Big Shots Protected Artur Brothers'
by Aggrey Mutambo
Politicians and senior government officials shielded the Artur
brothers from the law.
A report by a parliamentary committee on the conduct of the deported
Armenians said the pair used "political connections" to acquire
passports and other key documents.
The report says the pair was allowed into Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport VIP lounges despite tight security checks.
Immigration officials appearing before the committee claimed to have
lost three blank passports, which would later be found on the Arturs.
An official, Mr James Gitonga, said three passports, Nos.A1031194,
A1031195 and A1031196, were stolen from his desk. But after
questioning the office cleaner, Ms Beatrice Akoth, she confessed
stealing and selling them to "a man of Somali origin."
However, the committee concluded that the cleaner was forced to admit
the theft to save the government embarrassment.
"It was not clear how the cleaner knew about the location of passports
and how they ended up with the Artur brothers," says the report.
Secondly, it was not clear how the passport file numbers, assigned to
other people, would still have records of the Arturs.
The report faults airport officials for irregularly granting the
Armenians security passes.
Mr Stanley Mutungi, the general manager security services at JKIA at
the time, informed the committee access to restricted parts of the
airport required special passes, granted on application and vetting.
But the Arturs were given access without the mandatory checks. The
report also notes that while it was apparent the Armenians were
disobeying the law, "administrative lapses ensured that they (Artur
brothers) operated smoothly while in Kenya."
It cites police firearms "lost" through carjacking, only to be
recovered at the Armenians' house. A vehicle that had been reported
missing would later be seen being driven by Ms Mary Wambui, a
political activist.
The report blames the mess on the National Security Advisory Council,
which had met to "deliberate" on the affairs of the Arturs.
It says despite being briefed by the National Security Intelligence
Service (NSIS) that the conduct of the suspects was "consistent with
people involved in drug trafficking", the council declined to order
deportation of the Armenians.
Among those said to have attended the council's meeting was Head of
Public Service Francis Muthaura, director-general of NSIS Michael
Gichangi, the then Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and permanent
secretaries in the ministries of Internal Security and Foreign
Affairs.
From: A. Papazian
December 9, 2010 Thursday
'Big Shots Protected Artur Brothers'
by Aggrey Mutambo
Politicians and senior government officials shielded the Artur
brothers from the law.
A report by a parliamentary committee on the conduct of the deported
Armenians said the pair used "political connections" to acquire
passports and other key documents.
The report says the pair was allowed into Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport VIP lounges despite tight security checks.
Immigration officials appearing before the committee claimed to have
lost three blank passports, which would later be found on the Arturs.
An official, Mr James Gitonga, said three passports, Nos.A1031194,
A1031195 and A1031196, were stolen from his desk. But after
questioning the office cleaner, Ms Beatrice Akoth, she confessed
stealing and selling them to "a man of Somali origin."
However, the committee concluded that the cleaner was forced to admit
the theft to save the government embarrassment.
"It was not clear how the cleaner knew about the location of passports
and how they ended up with the Artur brothers," says the report.
Secondly, it was not clear how the passport file numbers, assigned to
other people, would still have records of the Arturs.
The report faults airport officials for irregularly granting the
Armenians security passes.
Mr Stanley Mutungi, the general manager security services at JKIA at
the time, informed the committee access to restricted parts of the
airport required special passes, granted on application and vetting.
But the Arturs were given access without the mandatory checks. The
report also notes that while it was apparent the Armenians were
disobeying the law, "administrative lapses ensured that they (Artur
brothers) operated smoothly while in Kenya."
It cites police firearms "lost" through carjacking, only to be
recovered at the Armenians' house. A vehicle that had been reported
missing would later be seen being driven by Ms Mary Wambui, a
political activist.
The report blames the mess on the National Security Advisory Council,
which had met to "deliberate" on the affairs of the Arturs.
It says despite being briefed by the National Security Intelligence
Service (NSIS) that the conduct of the suspects was "consistent with
people involved in drug trafficking", the council declined to order
deportation of the Armenians.
Among those said to have attended the council's meeting was Head of
Public Service Francis Muthaura, director-general of NSIS Michael
Gichangi, the then Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and permanent
secretaries in the ministries of Internal Security and Foreign
Affairs.
From: A. Papazian