Odhiambo Orlale
6 June 2008
Nairobi — Businessman Kamlesh Pattni Thursday failed to appear before a parliamentary committee looking into the controversial transfer of Grand Regency Hotel to the Government.
Mr Pattni had been summoned by the chairman of the Finance, Trade and Planning committee, Mr Chris Okemo, to shed more light on the circumstances leading to his handing over of the five-star hotel to the Central Bank of Kenya last month.
But the committee was informed at the eleventh hour that he was unwell and could not comply with the summons.
Mr Pattni was expected to give information on what transpired between him, the director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), Mr Justice Aaron Ringera, and the governor of Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Prof Njuguna Ndung'u, which then led to his decision to hand over the hotel to the bank.
The committee has questioned Finance minister Amos Kimunya, the CBK boss, and the KACC director on the matter.
Two weeks
Mr Pattni is expected to appear before the commission after two weeks.
A parliamentary committee wants Defence minister Yusuf Haji to clear the air over claims that the military used excessive force and torture in Mt Elgon District while dealing with a militia group.
The Defence and Foreign Affairs committee, chaired by Mr Aden Keynan, has summoned the minister to appear before it next Friday over claims by some of the residents that the military used torture, rape and destruction of property during its operation to wipe out the Sabaot Land Defence Force.
For the past three months, soldiers have been in Mt Elgon District to compliment police efforts in combating the militia, blamed for the death of 600 people in the past two years in a protest over the way land was allocated at a settlement scheme.
On Thursday, the committee met officials of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, who furnished it with reports on the controversy.
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