Murang’a,
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
KNA by Bernard Munyao
A section of Murang’a MCAs have vowed not to give in to intimidations and threats issued by some leaders of the County Assembly.
The ward representatives who spoke after six of them recorded statements at Murang’a police station Tuesday said they would continue to speak out and expose corruption perpetuated at the assembly.
The six MCAs were summoned by the Murang’a OCS on Friday to record statements in connection with confrontations and commotion that were witnessed at the Assembly last week leading to destruction of property.
In a statement read by Muguru MCA Moses Muchiri, more than 20 MCAs said use of police and allegation of criminal charges would not prevent them from demanding for investigations for misappropriation of funds by the leadership of the County Assembly.
Muchiri noted that some MCAs and members of staff were sponsored to travel overseas, alleging that the air transport expenses were exaggerated.
“We want investigations to focus on a recent trip to Dubai where air transport was hiked by Sh100, 000 where each of those who travelled were paid a total of Sh300, 000,” claimed Muchiri.
He called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Office of the Auditor General and the Senate to intervene and investigate the County Assembly’s functions, employments, tenders and supplies and all financial expenditures for the financial year 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
He further asked Murang’a County Police Commander to stop issuing threats to MCA but on the contrary ensure their safety and security is guaranteed.
On Wednesday last week, chaos rocked the Assembly after they protested the halting of removal of two MCAs from being Members of the County Assembly Public Service Board leading to destruction of furniture and equipment at the offices of the Clerk and that of the Speaker.
Kangunduini MCA Samson Mukora reiterated that despite recording statements with police, no form of intimidation would stop them from fighting for transparency in utilization of the Assembly’s funds.
“Let those working to intimidate the MCAs while exercising their oversight role know that we have just started to protect and safeguard the resources meant for the County Assembly from being misappropriated,” said Mukora.
The MCAs also requested the High Court, Murang’a, to revoke an order that maintained the status quo at the Assembly Public Service Board saying they followed the law when they impeached MCAs Elizabeth Wambui and Simon Wamwea from the Board.
“Wamwea and Wambui ceased to be members of the Assembly’s Public Service Board on April 2nd when the impeachment motion was passed in the County Assembly and appointment of new members was done,” said Ngina MCA John Mwangi.
The MCAs further demanded the suspension of the County Assembly Clerk Kuria Thuita for 60 days to pave the way for an in depth investigation.
Those who recorded statements at the local police station were Jane Mukami, Peter Munga, Laban Chomba, Samson Mukora, Kenneth Kamau and Carolyn Njoroge.
Courtesy; KNA
