The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raised concerns about Ruto's ambassadorial nominee for Kampala Uganda, Joash Maangi, regarding a housing saga in Nairobi.
Maangi, who appeared before the National Assembly's Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday for vetting on his suitability for the position, was informed of the EACC's letter opposing his nomination.
“We have a letter from EACC indicating you were under investigation and your file submitted to ODPP, who instead referred the file back to EACC for further investigations,” said Belgut MP Nelson Koech.
In response to the allegations, the ambassadorial nominee, Maangi, described the move as a witch hunt against him, emphasizing that he has not faced any prosecution in court.
“I am 100 percent sure that I am innocent, this was some kind of witch hunt; I am a good citizen in good standing, and ready to serve, I have not been charged in any court of law,’’ Maangi told the committee.
The issue under investigation by the EACC revolves around a Multi-Million Housing project by the National Housing Corporation, which reportedly involves a company associated with Maangi.
As per the vetting committee chairperson Koech, the company received Ksh 100 million for housing units in Langata, a transaction that the anti-graft body is disputing.
“I am just a Director in the Company based in the US, the MD is the one that operates the firm and is being investigated,” Maangi defended himself.
During the vetting process, Maangi revealed that his net worth amounts to Ksh 690 million.
In response to questions regarding alleged inconsistencies between his earnings and net worth, Maangi clarified that the difference was due to a one-off payment he received, which had been pending for some time.
“I said exactly what I made last year, there was a little bit of a hike because I was paid what I was owed over some time is was a one-off lump sum payment. Some of the properties are not income generating, I own three homes, one in Kisii, one in Nairobi, and one in Minnesota where my children live, all those are not income generating,” Maangi stated.
