Posted: Thu, Jul 07, 2011

http://www.kbc.co.ke/news.asp?nid=71188

Catholic Archbishop John cardinal Njue wants two prominent Kenyans facing money laundering and corruption charges tried in the UK. 

Former Energy Minister and Nambale MP Chris Okemo and former Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) boss Samuel Gichuru are wanted for allegedly receiving  up to Sh900 million in bribes from companies interested in contracts in the energy industry between 1999 and 2002.

Njue says the two should be arrested and handed over to the UK to answer the charges.

Interpol issued a red notice against Okemo and Gichuru after a warrant by the Bailiff and Chief Justice of the Island of Jersey, United Kingdom in April 2011.

He said Kenya cannot shield corrupt individuals in this era of fighting impunity.  Njue spoke a day after Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko okayed extradition proceedings against the two.

In a letter to  the chief  Magistrate at  Milimani law courts the chief Public prosecutor Keriako Tobiko instructed the court to issue warrants of arrest and subsequent extradition of the two stating he had no objection to a request by the UK on behalf of Jersey.

In the letter Tobiko stated "I authorize that you proceed and issue a warrant of arrest and detention of the said fugitives in accordance with section 7(1) of the Extradition act, chapter 77 laws of Kenya read together with section 7 of the sixth schedule in the new constitution"

However Senior principal magistrate Grace Macharia  ordered  the state counsel to argue their application next week on Monday.

The Catholic prelate was speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a bishop plaza at Holy Family Basilica.

The catholic diocese intends to put up an eight storey building to centralize its operations in the capital.

Njue is at the same time calling on politicians to strive to unite Kenyans as the country edges closer to the 2012 general elections.