Margaryan is the love of my life, by Winnie

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.