Date: Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 4:54 AM
To: “jaluo@jaluo.com”
By Agwanda Saye
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has resolved to conduct an audit of former Mau Mau freedom fighters over the Sh2.6 billion British Government settlement.
The LSK Secretary/CEO Mr. Apollo Mboya said that the audit and identity verification will prevent fraud to the settlement meant for 5,228 ex-Mau Mau veterans who were victims of torture by the colonial Government.
Mr. Mboya said that LSK has approached Ernst & Young, an audit firm, to look at the possibility of undertaking identity verification for the surviving Mau Mau victims of Torture, those who are deceased and the legal estate of the deceased.
“Ernst & Young has the capacity to conduct the exercise under its department of Fraud Investigations and Dispute Services (FIDS),” Mr. Mboya said.
The LSK Secretary/CEO said that similar audits were conducted by audit firms when compensating victims of explosives in Samburu and rape that involved British soldiers in Nanyuki. The British Government compensated some 500 Kenyans Sh585 million in 2003 over deaths and injuries suffered from undetonated devices allegedly left in their grazing fields. “LSK believe that an audit of the list of prospective beneficiaries is the best way forward to ensure that no deserving former freedom fighter is defrauded,” Mr. Mboya said.
Mr. Mboya also said that the LSK will file a suit at the High Court on Monday to force the British Law Firm of Leigh Day to release a list of 5,228 ex-Mau Mau fighters who are to receive Sh340,000 each following an out of court settlement with the British Government on mainly torture claims by the colonial administration.
“We wrote a letter to the British Law Firm (Leigh Day) last week requesting for the list within seven days, which is expiring on Friday,” Mr. Mboya said.
The Secretary/CEO said that LSK receives several elderly citizens daily requesting whether their names are in the list to receive the settlement.
Mr. Mboya said that LSK is also aware that two other British Firms will file separate Mau Mau compensation claims cases in courts at the United Kingdom (UK).
“Tandem Law and GT Law Solicitors have similar cases with 8,061 and 700 clients respectively,” Mr. Mboya said.
Mr. Mboya said that unlike the law firm of Leigh Day, Tandem Law and GT Law Solicitors have both furnished LSK with their list of clients.
Ends…