IMMIGRATION ADDS MYSTERY TO NATIONALITY OF TWO MEN

Standard, Kenya
March 16 2006

The nationality of two men at the centre of mercenary claims remains
a mystery as records at the Immigration Department show they were
Indian and Armenian nationals.

Contrary to Immigration minister Gideon Konchellah’s remarks that both
individuals were Armenians, we have learnt that they were registered as
nationals of different countries to disguise their identities. During
their Monday Press conference at the Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport, the ‘businessmen’ said they were Armenian brothers. They
also refuted claims they were mercenaries.

Mr Artur Margaryan is registered as an Indian in file No. 1211129,
while Mr Artur Sargsyan is registered in file No. 1211130 as an
Armenian. But Margaryan insists that he is Armenian. They are both
listed as directors of Brother Link International Ltd with Group H
working permits, which allow them to work in Kenya for two years.

Group H permits are reserved for company directors. The permits were
said to have been approved at a meeting between Investment Promotional
Authority and the Immigrations Department on January 19.

An Immigration official, Evelyne Cheluget, is said to have chaired
the meeting that allegedly approved their permits. The company is
listed as “offering services to various organisations in marketing
business development.”

According to the panel, the names did not feature in their meeting.

“When we discussed the permits, their names did not feature. I am
certain about that,” stated the source.

Efforts to get a comment from the Indian High Commissioner were futile
as he was said to be out of office.

Relations with a Narc activist

Meanwhile, the Government has said it had nothing to do with the
business the two are doing in the country.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said Brother Link Ltd was registered
in the names of the two men on December 1, 2005.

“They were later issued with class H type immigration investors
permits on January 23, 2006,” said Mutua.

He said the Government could not explain any relations they may be
having with a Narc activist.

“Ask the activist, but you cannot expect the Government to answer
questions for a person who is not its employee,” said Mutua.

He, however, said the two brothers could be having other companies,
among them Kensington Holdings Ltd, where Ms Winfred Wangui Mwai is
also a director.

Mutua said it appeared the Armenians have been meeting several people
in the country, such as Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and others.

“As we speak here, they are at the police station recording a statement
on allegations that they are mercenaries,” said Mutua.

However, Artur Margaryan was at the time addressing journalists at
a Press conference in KTN offices. Mutua said the police would be
particularly interested in the pictures and CCTV footage the Armenians
claim they have. He said there was nothing wrong with businessmen
or any other people holding a Press conference at the airport VIP
lounge. He, however, did not explain why they were using GK vehicles,
concealing their car number plates or the kind of business they did
in the country.

Elsewhere, Office of the President Assistant minister Joseph Kingi
and Internal Security Permanent Secretary, Cyrus Gituai, said the
two men were already under investigation.

“Give the Government time to carry out investigations. We are
investigating whether they are mercenaries or not,” Kingi said.

Businessmen or hit men?

And the mystery over the two deepened after National Security minister
John Michuki said he could not tell whether the individuals were
businessmen or hit men.

Michuki declined to state the nationality of the two men, saying
investigations would reveal their real identities.

“Going by what you have been writing they could be Russians, Armenians,
Americans. We will ascertain who they are,” Michuki said.

Michuki, who had called a Press conference at his office on Thursday
evening, said the matter was under “active” investigations. “I do
not know whether they are mercenaries or not. It will come up in the
investigations,” he said.

He said allegations by Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga about the existence
of mercenaries in Kenya were serious as far as State security was
concerned. He said the Government should be given an opportunity to
carefully investigate the matter devoid of political interference.

Michuki said the media should not misinterpret or unnecessarily
exaggerate delicate security issues to limits designed to serve their
interests. He said he agreed with some media houses which have stated
that politics should be kept out of security matters, “although the
same media houses have been on the fore front of politicising these
matters.”

Michuki said the Police were highly efficient and would be able to
unravel the unfolding drama involving the two men.