Public pressure is mounting over the fate of Parliament’s investigation into the controversial K128.8 billion purchase of Amaryllis Hotel, with the inquiry facing fresh delays and no clear timeline for its conclusion.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been examining the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s purchase of the hotel for K128.8 billion, a transaction that has attracted widespread criticism and allegations of financial impropriety.
Although the committee had earlier indicated that its findings were ready for presentation to Parliament, the process was extended following demands that several key figures be interviewed before any report could be tabled.
Among those yet to appear before the committee are former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba and representatives of Yusuf Investment Limited, the company linked to the hotel. Other witnesses, including Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, have already appeared.
Efforts to obtain an update from PAC leadership proved unsuccessful, while Zamba’s lawyer, George Kadzipatike, said he had not received any recent communication from the committee regarding the matter.
Political analyst George Chaima has expressed skepticism about the inquiry’s ability to deliver conclusions that will satisfy the public, arguing that the case involves influential individuals across various sectors.
The controversy deepened after financial regulators revoked licences of 11 trustees of the pension fund for allegedly disregarding an administrative directive against proceeding with the acquisition. Government authorities are yet to confirm whether replacement trustees have been appointed.
The deal has remained under intense scrutiny since reports emerged that the property, reportedly valued at around K47 billion in 2024, was earmarked for purchase at nearly three times that amount.
Previous investigations by the Financial Intelligence Authority and the Anti-Corruption Bureau resulted in the freezing of accounts linked to the transaction, while a leaked report reportedly recommended disciplinary action and criminal investigations against several officials.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been examining the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s purchase of the hotel for K128.8 billion, a transaction that has attracted widespread criticism and allegations of financial impropriety.
Although the committee had earlier indicated that its findings were ready for presentation to Parliament, the process was extended following demands that several key figures be interviewed before any report could be tabled.
Among those yet to appear before the committee are former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba and representatives of Yusuf Investment Limited, the company linked to the hotel. Other witnesses, including Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, have already appeared.
Efforts to obtain an update from PAC leadership proved unsuccessful, while Zamba’s lawyer, George Kadzipatike, said he had not received any recent communication from the committee regarding the matter.
Political analyst George Chaima has expressed skepticism about the inquiry’s ability to deliver conclusions that will satisfy the public, arguing that the case involves influential individuals across various sectors.
The controversy deepened after financial regulators revoked licences of 11 trustees of the pension fund for allegedly disregarding an administrative directive against proceeding with the acquisition. Government authorities are yet to confirm whether replacement trustees have been appointed.
The deal has remained under intense scrutiny since reports emerged that the property, reportedly valued at around K47 billion in 2024, was earmarked for purchase at nearly three times that amount.
Previous investigations by the Financial Intelligence Authority and the Anti-Corruption Bureau resulted in the freezing of accounts linked to the transaction, while a leaked report reportedly recommended disciplinary action and criminal investigations against several officials.
