Didmus Barasa to Miss EACC Summons on Bribery Claims, Provides His Account of Incident: “I say Tawe”

• MP Didmus Barasa has been summoned by the EACC to investigate allegations that he fraudulently acquired KSh 2 million from a businesswoman
• After allegedly receiving the funds, he reportedly vanished and severed communication with the victim
• In response to the summons, Barasa claimed that the money transferred to his account was a portion of repayment for a loan he had extended to the complainant

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating allegations that Kimilili MP Didmus Wekesa Baraza Mutua defrauded a businesswoman of KSh 2 million.

It is alleged that the MP requested and received the money from the businesswoman, a contractor, with a promise to influence the award of government tenders to her.

After receiving the money, the MP allegedly cut off communication with his victim and has been evading her since December 2023 when he received the money, according to a statement witnessed by TUKO.co.ke.

“Baraza asked for KSh 2 million from the complainant as a show of commitment and readiness to receive the tenders and shared the account number where the money was to be deposited. This amount was deposited in Didmus Baraza’s Cooperative Bank account held at Karen branch,” read the statement in part.

How did Barasa allegedly defraud his victim?

He allegedly claimed that he was the chairperson of the Parliamentary Roads Committee and also in charge of the Roads in his Kimilili Constituency and therefore would assist her in getting multi-national tenders.

“Didmus Baraza met the complainant, a contractor, at Tiwi Restaurant in Karen, where he informed her that he was the chairperson for the Parliamentary Roads Committee and also in charge of the Roads in his Kimilili Constituency and as such, he enjoys immense influence in the road sector through which he could assist her get many multi-million road tenders if she accepted to partner with him, by way of giving him money.

Which roads were Barasa, victim supposed to build?

According to the statement, Barasa wanted her to partner with him in the construction of Kamukuywa Market-Musembe Primary School Road, Kitayi Primary to Sitabicha Bridge Road, Machinjoni Junction to Maeni Market Joining Kapsokwony Road and Maeni Dispensary to Nasioya Friends Church Junction.

However, after he became elusive, the complainant visited KeRRA Headquarters at Barabara Plaza and she was informed that none of the road construction tenders promised by Baraza existed and were never advertised at all.

The outspoken MP has been summoned to appear before it on Tuesday, August 27 2024, failure to which the commission may invoke its enforcement powers under the relevant provisions of the law to compel attendance.

Didmus Barasa responds to EACC summons

After refusing to honor the first summons, the lawmaker has detailed accounts of what transpired with the businesswoman, who she says vied for a gubernatorial seat but was defeated.

“The person borrowed KSh 4 million from me during the 2022 polls but never returned. In December, I borrowed KSh 2 million from her as a soft loan. when she demanded her pay, I explained and she ended up taking up the matter to the DCI but was dismissed,” he claimed.

I have stated that he would not honor the summons because the matter should be resolved in a civil court and EACC has no role to play in it.

“She also owes me money and the reason why I have not paid because it is a matter of litigation. EACC cannot be used as a debt collection center. I have not honored the financial obligation because of the disagreement on what we agreed on. You have a serious mandate as per our constitution. You have no role to play in assisting the lady to recover the loan that she advanced to me. Let her go to court, I will meet her there. .I say TAWE!” I have explained.

Babu Owino furious after DCI’s summon

In other news, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over claims of incitement and money laundering.

In retaliation, the MP raged and dictated that he would not honor the summons since he could not help in investigating himself.

This attracted a public backlash which forced the investigating body to withdraw the summoning letter.

Source: TUKO.co.ke