Editor's Review

Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Implementation of House Resolutions have been accused of receiving free apartments or at subsidised rates to rule against London Distillers Kenya.

Some Members of Parliament are facing corruption allegations after they were accused of accepting bribes in form of subsidised homes or for free to push for the closure of the London Distillers Kenya (LDK).

The alcohol manufacturer wrote to House Speaker Justin Muturi asking him to probe members of the Committee on Implementation of House Resolutions.

The accusations follow the committee's probe into LDK for allegedly emitting harmful effluents into Athi River and its surroundings. They were accused by neighbours Erdemann Properties Limited which is behind Great Wall Gardens apartments.

File image of National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi. |Photo| Courtesy|

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LDK in its letter claimed that the realtor offered houses to the MPs to rule against it in the case.

Erdemann and about 3,000 home owners petitioned parliament in 2018 to investigate the environmental impact of LDK's activities. The distiller was, however, backed by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) in the case.

"We would therefore request that you order an inquiry to be conducted in order to ascertain whether the confidential information we have received that several members of the committee have received houses either freely or over subsidised rates through proxies, either being family members, relatives or companies in which they have interests, which could have led to clear conflict of interest displayed," LDK Chairperson Mohan Galot said in his letter to Muturi.

He urged Muturi to form a new committee to handle the probe as to preserve the integrity of parliament.

In a previous letter dated March 21, LDK told Muturi that the perceived public bias directed towards LDK by members of the committee had forced them to refrain from any proceedings with the team.

The committee in question is chaired by Narok North MP Moitalel Ole Kenta and he is deputised by  nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi.

Other members of the Committee include Alois Lentoimanga, Joseph Manje, Simba Arati, Richard Onyonka, Moses Kuria, Johnson Naicca, and Nelson Koech.

Yesterday, April 7, Ole Kenta stated that the MPs would not fall to coercion or blackmail.

"We are not going to babysit anybody. We are not going to be cowed by anybody. They must comply with what the house recommended. Somebody is trying to run away from complying," Ole Kenta stated.

Galot's letter to Muturi comes after the committee last month warned that it would recommend closure of the plant in Athi River.

The committee rejected a recommendation letter from Nema citing collusion between the agency and LDK.

File image of Parliamentary Committee on Implementation of House Resolutions chair Moitalel Ole Kenta. |Photo| Courtesy|