News

THE deported Artur brothers are criminals enjoying the protection of influential personalities Government, a joint probe of two Parliamentary committees reveals Senior Government officials ere accused of shielding the controversial brothers though they were aware that the motive 'their visit was criminal, a report bled in Parliament by nominated ember of Parliament Kipkalya Kones says.

The investigations were carried jointly by the Justice Committee, chaired by Kabete MP Paul Muite, and the Security Committee, chat red by his Changamwe counterpart Ramadhan Kajembe after the two brothers are involved m a gun drama.

Parliament was informed that two - Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan - were in the country part of a conspiracy to commit atrocities that were, however, not specified. The probe described the two as conmen and drug traffickers.

"It is clear to the committee that officials in Government and at State House knew of the Artur brothers' presence in Kenya and their intended purpose," says the report.

The gun drama at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) that sparked outrage leading to their deportation is an indication that they were operating, under the protection of the high and might, the MPs investigating the saga observed.

The House committees want persons named; whether they are in Government or not, should be investigated further and subjected to the full force of the law.

Among those adversely mentioned are internal security minister John Michuki, head of civil service Francis Muthaura, State House-based adviser to the president on policy Stanley Murage and sacked cm director Joseph Kamau.

Others are Narc Kenya activist Mary Wambui, her daughter Winnie Wangui and businessmen Kamlesh Pattni and Raju Sanghani. Wangui is a director of Kennisgton Holdings, a company co-owned with the Arturs.

Michuki, the report recommends, should be investigated , for failing to take any action on the Armenian brothers despite breaching security. His role also comes into question over the infamous raid on the Standard Group.

"The video footage captured on CCTV cameras at the I $ M Building displayed a stunning resemblance of one of the Artur brothers Artur Margaryan who led the raid," says the report. Murage, the report states, that he was a key player in the saga.

Concerning the two businessmen, the committee is particularly concerned with the possibility of a drug racket connection in the brother's presence in Kenya.

The report also dismisses the Kiruki Commission as a mere cover-up by the Government and, the commission never intended to unearth the truth.

The committee questions why the report has been shelved. According to the report, the two brother's flight was by a different airline from that which was earlier arranged. "The foreigners had multiple passports and did not travel with their original ones," says the report.