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How NYS scam cash ‘turned a mere driver to a millionaire’

By JOHN NJAGI October 20th, 2016 2 min read

The four key suspects yet to be called by a parliamentary committee investigating the Sh791 million National Youth Service scandal, include a man of modest background.

Mr John Kago, who according to evidence presented before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had handled more than Sh100 million of the loot from the NYS, is described as a mere driver.

BIG NAMES

He is now being mentioned among some big names, including former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru and former Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti.

Businesswoman Josephine Kabura is also said to have benefited from millions of shillings earned irregularly.

PAC Vice-Chairman Jackson Rop yesterday said the four suspects are expected to appear before the committee as it aims to complete its investigations on the special audit by Auditor-General Edward Ouko into the scandal, and table the report in the National Assembly before it goes on its long recess next week.

This means that all the four suspects will have to be slotted in next week so that the committee can burn the midnight oil and be able to table its report before breaking for the December holidays.

TAIL END

“We are at the tail end of concluding our investigations once we have invited the four main suspects to appear before the committee to give evidence,” he said.

Another suspect, Mr Ben Gethi, is said to have transferred more than Sh100 million to Mr Kago’s account, who acted as an estate agent, and reportedly purchased top end properties in the name of Mr Gethi’s mother, Ms Charity Wangui.

Some witnesses who appeared before the committee said Mr Kago was a driver to Mr Gethi, but he also acted as a broker in purchasing property using the proceedings from the scam as they sought to launder the stolen funds.

Other sources indicate that he was a news anchor at a public broadcaster, whose lifestyle changed suddenly before he was fired after his name started being mentioned in the scandal.

Mr Rop said Mr Kago, who was reported to have sent Sh40 million to lawyer Patrick Ogolla, to purchase a property on his behalf, is a witness of interest as the committee seeks to conclude its proceedings.