In Kenya: How can a thief judge a thief?

Folks,

If the houses cannot be cleaned, Kenya is free for all.  The powerful will have it all, who

cares?

Judy Miriga, USA

House team approves Grand Regency sale

Published on 12/08/2008  – East African Standard

By David Ohito

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi can now smile his way into the five-star Grand Regency Hotel as the new owner.

Sources say Parliamentʼs Finance Committee approved Libyan Governmentʼs takeover of the hotel after paying Sh2.9 billion ($ 45 million) in a bilateral agreement between Libya and Kenya.

The position taken by the Finance, Planning and Trade committee negates an earlier recommendation of a Cabinet committee, which called for repossession of the hotel and cancellation of the transfer to Libya.

But sources said the committee handed former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya a harsh verdict: Kimunya should be severely reprimanded for breaching the National Assembly Act procedures.

Parliamentʼs Powers and Privileges Committee should decide Kimunyaʼs fate for action, sources who have seen the report said.

The committee, according to the source, said Kimunya did not deserve to be a minister. This is reportedly the recommendation to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Sources privy to the report indicates that Libya Arab Africa Investment Company Kenya Limited (Laaico), like other foreign investors, has been encouraged to increase investment in country.

Laaico owns 998 shares, while Mr Ahmed Mohammed Amaer and Mohammed Shtewi Maawal own a share each in the hotel.

Cleared of wrongs

Sources said the report, signed by committee chairman Chris Okemo, cleared Laaico of wrongdoing.

The report comes after Gaddafi sent a special envoy, Mr Bashir Saleh Bashir, to Kenya who held meetings with Kibaki and Raila.

The Libyans, however, have to wrestle a caveat against the title deed to block the hotelʼs transfer or use as collateral and await the outcome of the Majid Cockar Commission.

The report is yet to be tabled or adopted by the National Assembly.

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Posted to API by Judy Miriga

Published by African Press International – API