Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched investigations aimed at unravelling circumstances under which a container delivering donations by a Chinese government to the National Assembly arrived In Nairobi empty.
In a statement on Wednesday, National Assembly clerk Michael Sialai confirmed that the delivery arrived on Tuesday but upon the opening of the container seals, it was confirmed to have been empty.
The offer to donate the goods was made during a visit by the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China and a delegation of Chinese officials on April 13 in Nairobi.
M/s Bollore Africa Transport & Logistics Ltd was procured to deliver the goods.
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“Both the agent and our officers brought this matter to my attention and I made a decision that the DCI officers attached to the Parliament Road Police Station be informed of this development, which was done promptly.
“The DCI officers upon. confirmation that the container tagged “Diplomatic Goods” brought by M/s Bollore Africa Transport & Logistics Ltd was indeed empty are currently handling the situation, of course with involvement of the consignee (Chinese Embassy) and we hope the matter will be resolved to a logical conclusion, ” the statement read in part.
The house clerk added: “while we remain grateful to our guest from the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi for the planned donation, the National Assembly wishes to clarify that the matter is now in the hands of the consignee and their logistics partners. ”
In response, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China said it was shocked to learn of the developments, considering that no such a thing has happened before.
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“Over the years the Chinese side has made friendly donations to our Kenyan brothers and sisters, including medical apparatus, office equipment, food aid, etc, and they have all been delivered safe and sound. Among them seem office equipment donated and delivered to the Parliament in 2018. Therefore this is the first time such thing has ever happened, ” the embassy said in a statement.
However, China expressed its confidence in the Kenyan government authorities in resolving the matter.
“We notice that the National Assembly has informed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to handle the matter, and believe that with the professionalism of DCI this matter will be resolved and equipment recovered with their intervention. With unwavering commitment to the bilateral friendship, the Chinese side will continue with our support to our Kenyan brothers and sisters. ”
Here is the statement:
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