Nairobi — The mystery of the two Armenian brothers Artur Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan has continued to deepen since they emerged to make bribery claims against Lang'ata MP Raila Odinga and his Mwingi North counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka.

The Government on its part has added to the mystery by making contradictory statements about their nationality and nature of business.

When they "jetted in" from Dubai and addressed a press conference at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport VIP lounge, Immigration minister Gideon Konchella told journalists in Kisumu that the two men were Czech citizens.

He quickly followed this with a fax message to newsrooms retracting his earlier position and stating that the two were Armenian consultants in marketing, business development and finance on a valid two-year class H permits issued on January 28.

Konchellah later said there was an "untold story" about the two men and what their business in Kenya was.

He asked for patience as his ministry investigated.

"There is something fishy in the whole affair," he said but added that his ministry had records showing when the two men came in. But Margaryan later said they had been in Kenya for only four months.

A statement issued after a meeting under aegis of the Government of National Unity chaired by President Kibaki said the Government might take action against Raila over his mercenaries claim.

This was a day before the two brothers came out to defend themselves.

The meeting at Kenyatta International Conference Centre said Raila had acted with impunity and shown contempt of the law.

The statement read by Environment minister Prof Kivutha Kibwana claimed it was the Orange Democratic Leaders who were recruiting mercenaries. The mystery deepened when on March 16, when Internal Security minister John Michuki said he could not tell whether the individuals were businessmen or hit men.

He declined to state the nationality of the two, saying investigation would reveal their real identities.

"Going by what you have been writing they could be Russians, Armenians or Americans. We will ascertain who they are," Michuki said.

In March, attempts by a squad of eight officers to arrest Artur Margaryan failed when he demanded a search warrant before he could cooperate.

The policemen, led by Runda Officer Commanding Station Jeremiah Langat, left the house after receiving a telephone call from a senior officer ordering them to return to base.

An outside view of the Armenians' residence in Runda

Margaryan later told Michuki to stop commenting on the mercenaries until investigation is complete.

He also advised the minister against commenting on issues "he knew nothing about".

Mutua said the Government had nothing to do with the two alleged mercenaries.

He said the Government could not explain any relations they may be having with a Narc activist said to be a business partner of the two.

Assistant minister for Public Works, Joshua Toro dismissed allegations of mercenary activities as an "imaginary thing" propagated by ODM.

He maintained that the two were not a security threat as they had Kenyan visa and work permits.

When the matter came to Parliament the Government ducked the question of the two before it was finally answered.

Mathioya MP Joseph Kamotho asked the question on the status of the two.

It was first put to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but the minister said it should be directed to the Minister in charge of Internal Security.

But when the question appeared on the Order Paper again it had been directed to the Immigration Department.

There was more confusion when Immigration Assistant minister Ananiah Mwaboza said he could not answer the question because the right ministry to answer it was the Office of the President.

The former Internal Security Assistant minister, the late Mirugi Kariuki, told Parliament that the Armenian Government had confirmed that the two men were its citizens holding Armenian passports.

He said the two had valid work permits and had never requested state security as alleged by some MPs.

Mirugi said the two were involved in consultancy, marketing, development and finance and they had no criminal records in Armenia.

Not satisfied with the way the Government was handling the matter Kamotho moved a motion of adjournment to discuss the matter.

Members demanded an explanation from Michuki on why the Government had failed to deport the two whom they accused of not being investors and also being disrespectful to national authority.

Michuki told Parliament that the Government would not deport the Armenian brothers over the mercenary claims.

Contributing to the motion Michuki said one of the alleged mercenaries had moved to have an MP refund him "some money he borrowed from him".

"I will not be moved by personal and partisan interests of people who have borrowed money," he said.

Assistant minister for Health Dr Enock Kibunguchy told Parliament that the presence of the two Armenians had caused concern among Kenyans and asked the Government to deport them.

"The presence of the two characters has occupied minds of Kenyans. The best thing to do is to put them on a plane with one way to hell. They are spoiling the image of the Government," he said.

Health minister Charity Ngilu joined the fray when she said the Government should explain the alleged presence of the mercenaries.

Speaking in Kisumu, Ngilu said deporting the two Artur brothers would raise more questions.

"The two men alleged to be from Armenia should be detained pending investigation as wananchi would like to know the truth," she said.