Parliament Summons Equity Bank CEO over KSh 15b Loan to Turkish Aydin Harun

The National Assembly’s Finance Committee has summoned Equity Bank CEO, Dr. James Mwangi to appear on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, to shed light on the circumstances under which it advanced a Ksh 15 billion loan to the controversial Turkish investor, Aydin Harun.

According to sources privy to the matter, the Equity Bank boss is expected to respond to 7 questions on how the Turkish investor received the loan from the financial institution.

The Turk hit the headlines weeks ago when the Deputy President was denied clearance for an alleged private trip to Uganda. Among those who were to accompany the DP for the trip was Aydin Harun – who was cleared and later jetted back to the country.

Aydin could later be deported from Kenya upon unconfirmed reports linking to terror and money laundering activities.

Days later, the DP, in a televised TV interview claimed to have made a phone call to Equity Bank to facilitate the loan for Mr. Aydin to set up a vaccine manufacturing plant in Uganda.

It is from this that the House Finance Committee will be seeking to know whether Equity Bank adhered to section 43 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-money Laundering Act while advancing the loan to Mr. Aydin.

The bank CEO is also to be questioned on whether Aydin operates any accounts with Equity Bank. The MPs will also seek to know the particulars of the security used to guarantee the Ksh15 billion credit.