Esipisu denies claims of soliciting funds for State House events

Esipisu denies claims of soliciting funds for State House events

Former State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu was on Thursday taken to task over claims that he solicited funds for functions already paid for by government.

During his vetting for the position of Kenyan Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Nelson Koech (Belgut MP) asked Manoah to address the allegations.

“You are accused of soliciting huge sums of money from heads of parastatals to pay for live coverage during visits by top dignitaries including President Obama and the Pope yet those visits were fully paid for,” Koech said.

Esipisu denied the claims and was categorical that his role was to ensure that State visits were adequately organized.

He reiterated that no money was solicited and that the allegations were false.

The committee then took him to task over naming President Uhuru Kenyatta as his referee asking how they are expected to reach the Head of State for clarifications.

A seemingly confident Manoah Esipisu responded saying: “He was my primary supervisor for five years. That is why he is my referee. The committee chairman can help you get to him incase of any clarification.”

In regards to his monetary worth said to be Ksh.100million, the Parliamentary team questioned how he acquired the wealth.

According to Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango MP), the only pro bono work that is on Esipisu’s public record is a lecture at Kenyatta University.

“The Ksh.100million is in form of assets. Very few people have such money in their accounts. I have done lots of community serve without saying a lot about it. No trumpet is worth blowing for community service done,” Manoah replied.

Osoro further questioned Esipisu’s relationship with George Munji, who the lawmaker claimed was mentioned in the National Youth Service (NYS) corruption case.

Esipisu affirmed that he and Munji are friends but said he was not aware of the alleged link to the NYS case.

“I don’t know where he’s mentioned on the NYS graft. If Mr Osoro has any information, please take it to DCI or EACC,” he told the committee.

When asked to explain why President Uhuru Kenyatta’s communication team unfollowed Deputy President William Ruto on Twitter, Manoah termed it as a mistake that the two leaders were already briefed on.

On his part, Peter Mwathi (Limuru MP) described Esipisu as a “good communicator but very unfriendly.”

“You are now going to be a diplomat and must start knowing how to handle people, not the way you did at State House,” Mwathi said.

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Manoah Esipisu State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena

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