Machakos deputy governor’s vehicles and security withdrawn legally, official says

Machakos Deputy Governor Benard Kiala aboard a matatu Monday outside his office soon after his official car was withdrawn. [PHOTO: DANIEL NZIA/STANDARD]

MACHAKOS COUNTY: A day after a vehicle used by Machakos deputy governor Bernard Kiala was withdrawn the county government has ruled out any element of political witch hunting.

In an official statement issued by the county’s executive in charge of transport, roads and public works Mr George Kioko wa Luka, the move was taken to facilitate the fitting of green number plates to the vehicle after removing the private white and yellow number plates.

Addressing the press in his office, Luka said the move was in line with a policy on cost cutting and austerity measures passed by the Machakos county cabinet, that all county government vehicles should being fitted with green plates to ensure proper use of the vehicles and fuel.

''So far all vehicles assigned to Executive Committee members have already been fitted with the plates” he added.

He said the deputy governor's official cars Prado registration numbers KBG 266C and KBY215B were recalled for the fitting with green plates with no intention to frustrate or intimidate him.

Luka said immediately the cars were withdrawn, the deputy governor was assigned a replacement vehicle; a Subaru Outback registration number KBY 032B for use as the two Prados were being worked on.

''But unfortunately we have received reports that the deputy governor has been resisting compliance with the policy and instead crying foul citing political witch hunt'' said the minister.

He said the vehicles will be availed to the deputy governor soon after the Kenya Revenue Authority releases the plates.

He could not exactly tell how long that will take but predicted that could take two weeks.

The action came days after the county AP commander withdrew the deputy governor's body guards citing a circular from the national government that deputies were not entitled to such privilege.

Members of county assembly allied to Mr Kiala have since castigated the move claiming it was a move to push the deputy governor out of office.

However, those allied to the governor Dr Alfred Mutua, have rubbished the claims terming them unfounded, adding that the deputy governor was not above the law and should comply with the laid down policies.

The Monday incident paralysed transport on the Machakos-Nairobi road near the deputy governor's offices when MCAs protested blocking the road with their vehicles as they demanded the reinstatement of Kiala’s the vehicles.

Police were forced to lobe teargas to disperse the rioting MCAs.