Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma defends luxury cars

By Rushie Oudia

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and Majority Leader in the County Samuel Ong’ow differed over the choice of vehicles for the cabinet.

Mr Ranguma denied claims he had allocated Sh72 million to purchase Prados for the cabinet.

He said in consultation with the cabinet, they had settled on cheaper vehicles and wondered who created the fuss about the four wheel drive vehicles.

“We settled for Fortuner because Prados were expensive, I wonder who came up with this issue of Prados,” said Ranguma.

However, Mr Ong’ow said the name Prado had featured in all the budgetary estimates presented to the appropriation committee.

He claimed a printing error caused the name not to appear in the final budget. “Prado was in all the budget estimates and the printing was done hastily, leading to the error which could not be corrected in time,” said Ong’ow.

The Majority Leader, however, defended the allocation of the vehicles, saying that the executives needed them to traverse reaching various parts of the county.

Security

Ong’ow also supported for County Assembly members’ calls for security measures. The governor was speaking after journalists put him on the spot on the Prado issue and claims of living in an expensive hotel.

Ranguma said the hotel was not costly and defended the move saying the county did not have a governor’s residence. “I am not an extravagant person, I am modest in my spending and I just don’t have a choice but to wait for my residential place while still in a hotel,” he said.

Ranguma said he must have trappings of power associated with his title. This he said includes four vehicles for his convoy.

“I am the governor and must have a lead car, a chase car and my press team,” said Ranguma adding that he is also entitled to a ceremonial car which should be a Mercedes Benz.

At the same time the governor denied claims that he threatened the Leader of Minority, Edwin Anayo.