Kenyan government denies links to suspected Armenian mercenaries

The Standard, Nairobi
17 Mar 06

Text of report by Biketi Kikechi and Ayub Savula entitled “Mutua
denies govt link to Armenians” published by Kenyan newspaper The
Standard on 17 March

The government yesterday said it had nothing to do with the business
two alleged mercenaries are doing in the country.

Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua said a company owned by Artur
Sargaryan and Artur Margaryan, known as Brother Link Ltd, was
registered in their names on 1 December 2005.

“They were later issued with class H type immigration investors
permits on 23 January 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 had 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 did not explain why they were using GK [Government of Kenya]
vehicles, covering their car number plates nor the kind of business
they did in the country.

Elsewhere, the government said the two men would record a statement
with the police. Office of the President Assistant Minister Joseph
Kingi and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Cyrus Gituai [said]
the men were already under investigation.

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

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress