PARLIAMENT IS ADJOURNED TO AVOID DAMMNING PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE REPORT ON ERRATIC FINANCE MINISTER AMOS KIMUNYA OVER THE SALE OF GRAND REGENCY HOTEL
By Leo Odera Omolo

PARLIAMENT adjourned its sitting in Nairobi last night in a two months long recess in a controversial manner suspected to be connected with the damning report prepared by Parliamentary Finance Committee that probed the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel.

Furious MPs protested as the Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim who was in the chair blocked and flatly refused to allow the report, into the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel, to be tabled in the House for debate Many MPs read malice in the deputy speakers attitude and felt dhis action amounted to sabotage

Several sources close to MPs who are privy to the report of the committee headed by the Nambale MP Chris Okemo had recommended that the Amos Kimunya the suspended Finance Minister should not hold a cabinet office as his conduct does not befit that of a minister.

Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim last night blocked the tabling of finance committee report by the Chairman Chris Okemo, claiming that a copy of the some had not been submitted for the clerk’s office.

Maalim also said no copies had been calculated to MPs prior to its tabling contrary to the standing orders.

Despite of concerted efforts by members of the committee and other backbenches to have the report tabled Farah Maalum stood his ground and said he would not bent the House’s ruler and regulations for anyone including the president, Prime Minister, Vice President, Ministers and MPs.

A committee member Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo was expelled from the House for the rest of the afternoon session when he insisted that the report should be tabled.

Sources privy to be report says if demanded that Amos Kimunya should be sacked over the controversial sale of the Grand Regency Hotel. It further demanded that President Mwai Kibaki, who is the appointing authority, should be told that Mr. Kimunya is unfit to return to the cabinet and that he should be several reprimanded

It further says Kimunya’s conduct over he fate should be referred to the House powers and privileges committee for action, says the Okemo committee set up to look into he sale, according to an MP who had seen be report.

Kimunya was forced to step aside last month to allow investigation into the Grand Regency Hotel Sale after Parliament passed a vote of no confidence in him.

Another investigation into the controversial sole is being conducted by former chief Justice Abdul Majid Cocker.

After his expulsion from the House for the Reason of Thursday afternoon session.
Gen Mp Jakoyo Midiwo called in press condolence and alleged that several attempts had been made in and outside parliament to frustrate the committee walk

He claimed that Key people in and outside Parliament had made several attempts to compromise some of the committee members.

Jakoyo Midiwo Challenged the deputy speaker to quote the specific sections of the House standing order, which he used to make his ruling

He alleged that the deputy speaker Farah Maalim had secretly assigned Kisumu Town East MP Shakeel Shabir to try to convince backbench MPs not to oppose the sale of the hotel to the Libyan government because the buyers are Muslim Hon Shabbir himself is a Muslim, a clear indication that the controversy has already sucked in religious conflicts of interests..

MPs who have accessed be Okemo Committed report told this writer that the committee also recommended that be Central Bank of Kenya. Governor Prof Njuguna Ndungu he reprimanded CBK was also asked to move suddenly to take control of all the money that was in the Grand Regency accounts as stipulated in the High Court comments order issues a April 9, 2008.

Maalim expelled Midiwo from the House citing his disorderly attempt to dissuade him {Speaker} to have the report tabled.

The committee also recommended that the Attorney general and see government agencies work together in such a transaction. And further that the AG’s office should in future pro-activity get involved when legal matters of pulblic interest are brought to his attention” Said an MP who has seen the report,

A visibly angry Midiwo had also threatened to expose the full contents and details of the report should parliament go on recess before discussing its contents.

In the voting division that was called over the motion of adjournment, the government benches scored 55 votes against the backbenchers 45. parliament will reconvene on October 7th, 2008.

While stopping Okemo from presenting his report the deputy speaker said the report had not been received by the office of the clerk to parliament

The Ag Mr. Amos Wako was asked to review and proceed and prosecute all Goldenberg related cases he was also asked to investigate the transaction and take further action

Businessman Kamlesh Patni who was at the truck of the controversy was reportedly granted amnesty for the Goldenberg related area in exchange of the Grand Regency Hotel.

Okemo committee recommendations, according to sources are but land government the purchase and sale, of pulling assess be reviewed. It also recommended be acquisition of public assets by foreign investors be fate in accordance with the law and should apply to both private and government to government.

The Okemo committee members are Okemo Jakoyo Midiwo, Prof. Philip Kaloki, Muskari Kombo, Licas Chepkitony, Alis Bahati, Lenny Kivuti, Nelson Gaichuhie, Ntoitha Mithiara, Shakir Shabbir and Nko.idisa Ole Lankal

Ends

Leo Odera Omolo

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Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 07:07:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: PARLIAMENT IN NAIROBI IS ADJOURNED FOR TWO MONTHS AFTERN HEATED EXCHANGE