Minister Ngilu skips date with KACC

Water Minister Charity Ngilu on Wednesday failed to honour her appointment with the Kenya Anti-Corruption commission where she was expected to record a statement over corruption allegations in her ministry.

Ngilu, who returned home last week after a lengthy stay at a London hospital, had by yesterday yet to communicate to the KACC why she had failed to keep the appointment. "We hear that she is unwell but she is yet to inform the commission why she was not available,” said a KACC official privy to the investigations.The sources said the appointment was fixed in January after Ngilu requested to be given more time before she recorded the statement.Ngilu is to be questioned by the KACC following corruption allegations made against her by former Water assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri.Kiunjuri presented documents to Parliament and KACC to back his claims that the minister had abetted corruption by awarding contracts to her kinsmen and friends.KACC investigators have so far obtained registration records of four companies that won tenders to supply goods to the Water ministry and which are allegedly linked to Ngilu's family members and friends.This is the third time the Kitui Central MP has skipped a date with the anti-corruption.

On December 15, KACC summoned Ngilu to Integrity Centre but she failed to present herself. She however called the KACC director Dr P.L.O Lumumba to inform him that she was held up by official duties and could not make the appointment.KACC spokesman Nicholas Simani yesterday confirmedthat Ngilu was expected at Integrity centre on Wednesday.Simani said Ngilu did not show up and that that KACC was waiting for communication from her. “We will have to wait for her to communicate. KACC does not want to be seen as if we habour some vendetta and we have to keep on following up on people ,” Simani said .