Agency probes two MCAs accused of feigning disability to evade tax

The State organisation for the disabled has launched a probe into allegations that two ward representatives faked disability to get tax exemptions.

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is now examining a tax exemption assessment report implicating the MCAs - Rosemary Ogutu, Anastasia Augo and Benard Omondi Alaru - in the unlawful act.

The nominated MCAs allegedly pretended to be deaf and blind, according to reports seen by The Standard.

The three are allegedly holding illegal medical examination reports, which they used to acquire tax exemption certificates.

The purge began last week following a physical verification process of those who applied to be excluded from paying taxes.

At the centre of the rot is the county’s health department where it is feared many people have been ‘examined’ and excused from paying tax even when they had no form of disability.

Rev Kenneth Wachianga, the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya Siaya Chairman, said he was aware of the issue.

DOCTOR BLAMED

“I strongly blame the doctor who gave these people approvals to acquire the certificates when he knew very well they were not disabled,” said Rev Wachianga.

He added this was a clear indication that massive corruption had been going on at the hospital.

“Why should an MCA who should be protecting the Constitution violate the same laws?” he posed.

Wachianga called for the disbandment of the assessment board and resignation of the two MCAs involved in the scam for violating Chapter Six of the Constitution.

He also called on Director of Public Health Omondi Owino to intervene and ensure the doctor alleged to have conducted the evaluation was arrested and charged.

Not guilty

But in a quick rejoinder, the three denied the claims, saying they followed due process to acquire the certificates.

Ms Augo said she was examined by a doctor at Siaya County Referral Hospital where she was recommended for a tax exemption certificate.

“I was involved in a road accident in 2011 and I have been experiencing a lot of difficulties in terms of mobility. Moreover, no one can enjoy being disabled,” she said.

She also denied bribing a doctor to assess her, saying she was issued with the certificate after submitting the examination report.

The Standard has established Ms Ogutu, nominated on a Ford-Kenya ticket, had claimed she had a permanent hearing impairment.

However, when cobtacted, she said she was in a meeting and could not talk.

Mr Alaru also denied having acquired the documents illegally and accused the NCPWD regional co-ordinator in Siaya of mistreating him.

An MCA who spoke on condition of anonymity said with the certificates, the MCAs would be exempted from at least Sh50,000 in taxes every month.

Efforts to get a comment from Speaker George Okode were unsuccessful.