South Sudan Granted Access to Jirongo’s Bank Accounts

Cyrus Jirongo appearing in court in 2018
Cyrus Jirongo appearing in court in 2018
File

The High Court has given the South Sudan government partial access to bank accounts in Kenya, which belong a firm associated with ex-Cabinet Minister Cyrus Jirongo.

Justice Joseph Sergon allowed the foreign government to operate the accounts on the condition that it leaves a balance of not less than Ksh5.4 billion.

The decision was made owing to the fact that the Jirongo-linked company is pursuing an appeal against the order, which unfroze the accounts. 

Cyrus Jirongo addressing a gathering
Cyrus Jirongo addressing a gathering
File

The ruling to grant access to South Sudan was reached after the East African country challenged a decision to freeze the accounts terming it as a declaration of war by Kenya.

The South Sudanese government added that it was unable to deliver any services to its citizens.

The Jirongo-linked firm bagged a deal to construct John Garang Military Academy and Natinga Warehouse in South Sudan in 2008.

The company, later on, fell out with the South Sudanese government due to a contract breach, forcing Jirongo to file a suit in court.

The foreigners argued that the firm never honoured its end of the bargain and therefore should not be paid.

It added that the case amounts to stealing its taxpayers' money since the projects barely started.

In its defence, the Kenyan firm claimed that it had exhausted Ksh2.6 billion which they had been paid as down payment while moving to different construction sites due to protests and flooding witnessed in the country.

From left, Cyrus Jirongo, Francis Atwoli, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula at Wilson Airport in Nairobi on October 14, 2012.
From left, Cyrus Jirongo, Francis Atwoli, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula at Wilson Airport in Nairobi on October 14, 2012.
Daily Nation
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