MARGARYAN IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, BY WINNIE
Story by NATION Reporter
Daily Nation , Kenya
April 5 2007
Ms Winfred Wangui, daughter of businesswoman Mary Wambui, is in love –
with deported Armenian Artur Margaryan. And, according to her, their
wedding bells will be ringing any time.
In an exclusive interview with Easy FM Wednesday morning, Ms Wangui
defended Mr Margaryan and his alleged brother, Mr Artur Sargsyan,
saying they were not criminals but "good and honest businessmen". The
interview was to be aired by NTV last evening.
Winnie, as she is popularly known, admitted that she has been having
a love affair with Mr Margaryan and was optimistic that they will
settle down and raise a family once they are married.
She said the two brothers were "innocent" of all the charges leveled
against them and expressed confidence that they will eventually be
cleared. The two were hastily deported last year after a serious
security breach at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when
they allegedly manhandled security officers and drew guns at customs
officers to avoid their luggage being checked.
President Kibaki subsequently appointed a commission of inquiry
headed by former police commissioner Shedrach Kiruki to investigate
the brothers and their dealings in Kenya.
The airport incident was the final straw in a series of incidents
revolving around the brothers who first came to the limelight when
Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga claimed they were mercenaries brought in to
assassinate key opposition leaders.
Ms Wangui, who at the time was a ministry of Foreign Affairs official,
was one of the civil servants interdicted in the wake of the airport
drama. During the inquiry, she was alleged to have used her office
to get protocol officers at the airport to offer VIP treatment to
the Artur brothers.
Other officials suspended included police and customs officials who
were caught up in the airport saga, as well as the deputy managing
director of the Kenya Airports Authority, Ms Naomi Cidi, who was
accused of procuring airport security passes for the brothers.
In the Easy FM interview, Ms Wangui said that her full name was
Winfred Wangui Mwai. But she declined to discuss her relationship
with the First Family, saying that "those who know the truth will
stay with the truth."
And she revealed that she was still a civil servant as she has never
been relieved of her duties. However, she spends most of her time
travelling and trying out her hand in business. She did not disclose
whether she is still drawing a Government salary.
For the first time since the Artur saga broke, Ms Wangui reveals how
she met the brothers through a mutual friend during a 2005 holiday
in Dubai. They got to know each other, went into business together –
which she described as "general trading" – and the working relationship
eventually blossomed into a love affair with Mr Margaryan.
And according to her, the airport gun drama and the alleged fracas
at the Panari Hotel either did not happen or were misreported and
blown out of proportion.
The Kiruki commission, however, did find in its report – which was
presented to President Kibaki last August – that the brothers were
suspicious characters of uncertain nationality and identity who should
have been arrested. In his evidence before the Inquiry, Immigration
minister Gideon Konchellah described them as international criminals.
When receiving the report, President Kibaki promised swift action on
the recommendations. But nothing has been done so far and the report
has never been made public.
The following are excerpts from yesterday’s interview:
EASY FM: Are you still working for the civil service?
WANGUI: I’ve never seen a letter of sacking.
You’ve never been sacked?
I’ve never been sacked. Of course last year we were all suspended and
everybody keeps getting their letter at different times. So that is
what we are waiting for.
But you’ve never bothered to go and check?
No.
Where did you first meet (the Armenians)?
In Dubai. When I was on holiday, year 2005.
Margaryan has been gone for nearly a year. Do you still keep in touch?
Of course.
Are you dating him?
Yes. I see him.
Is he your boyfriend?
Yes he is.
You and Margaryan are not planning to get married?
We will one day.
Who will give you away?
Somebody always gives the bride away.
But you will have children with him
Of course if we get married we will have children, God willing.
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