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Kenya: Raila Insists Margaryan Led Raid On 'Standard'

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  • Kenya: Raila Insists Margaryan Led Raid On 'Standard'

    RAILA INSISTS MARGARYAN LED RAID ON 'STANDARD'
    By Parliament Team

    Kenya Times, Kenya
    April 5 2006

    Artur Margaryan, one of the alleged mercenaries, was inducted into
    the dreaded Kanga squad as the commander ahead of the raid on the
    Standard Group, Parliament was told yesterday.

    Lang'ata MP Raila Odinga (Narc), while contributing to a question on
    the operation of the Police Force which he had asked on behalf of his
    Ndhiwa counterpart, Orwa Ojode (Narc), claimed that Margaryan was
    recruited into the Kanga Squad to command the raid on the Standard
    Group's premises at I&M Building and Likoni Road printing press.

    Odinga asked Assistant Minister for Internal Security, Mirugi Kariuki
    to explain to the House how Margaryan was inducted to Kanga squad as
    a commander without the knowledge of the Commissioner of Police.

    Ojode's question had sought to know the number of formations that
    exists in the Kenya Police and their respective commanders.

    According to Mirugi, no unit exist as Kanga and there are nine
    formations in the Kenya Police commanded by officers who report to
    the Commissioner of Police. He denied allegations that Margaryan was
    inducted into the Police Force.

    Mirugi however, alluded that the Police on special occasions come up
    with special units to deal with specific crimes.

    Odinga's claim was a culmination of a heated debate on the alleged
    mercenaries raised by Mathioya MP, Joseph Kamotho (Narc) in which the
    government was roasted for protecting personalities of questionable
    backgrounds under the guise of foreign investment.

    Saboti MP Davies Nakitare said Margaryan and his alleged brother Artur
    Sargsyan had no investment plans for the country as Trade Minister
    Mukhisa Kituyi confirmed and that Kenya was in a serious state of
    insecurity to have such people around.

    But Mirugi maintained that the duo were genuine businessmen and
    that the Government of the Republic of Armenia had confirmed they
    were its citizens and two hold its passports. He could not however
    ascertain the amount of investment the duo were bringing into the
    country despite insisting that they were registered consultants in
    marketing, business development and finance and were tax compliant
    according to records from the Kenya Revenue Authority.

    Odinga also questioned why the duo were accorded state security and
    why they were moving in vehicles with concealed number plates. He
    also expressed surprise when Mirugi said that there was a suit in
    court by Magaryan in which he (Raila) was a defendant, adding that
    he had not been served "yet the minister can state here that I have
    a case in court. What does it amount to?"

    The Lang'ata MP also wondered why the two Armenians had to register
    a company, Kensington Holdings Limited under a name that already
    existed in the books of the Registrar of Companies if the intention
    was not suspect.

    Emuhaya MP, Kenneth Marende said it was illegal for anyone to use
    on Kenyan roads vehicles with concealed number plates, adding that
    under normal circumstances the two Armenians should have been arrested
    and prosecuted.
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