Kisumu whistle-blower alleges scheme to kill him

A ward representative who lifted the lid on the graft deals in the Kisumu County Assembly now claims his life is in danger.

James Diang'a (North Seme ward) said he had been receiving threats from some of the assembly officials who were recently arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and charged with Sh17.3 million assembly graft.

Addressing the Press after recording a statement at Kisumu Central Police Station, the whistle-blower claimed there was a plot to kill him either through food poisoning or an "artificial" road accident.

"After coming back from Orange House where I went to give a testimony on the wrangles in the assembly, which are largely as a result of corrupt deals among its top officials, some of those I mentioned began threatening me," he said.

The ward representative last week appeared before Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) disciplinary committee, which was hearing the case of Kisumu's suspended Leader of Majority Samwel Ong'ow and his deputy John Olum.

ODM had cracked the whip on the two leaders over alleged gross misconduct, which were believed to be behind the persistent chaos that had rocked the assembly.

The alarm raised by Diang'a has raised concerns among some of the ward representatives who have condemned the plot.

Evil plans

"Rumours of such a scheme have been doing rounds and we want to warn the masterminds that their evil plan has been known," said Central Seme Ward Rep John Kadede.

The MCAs now want police to ensure Diang'a has adequate security as the matter is being investigated.

Apart from Mr Ong'ow, the assembly leaders who were arrested and charged by EACC on Monday include ousted Speaker Anne Adul, Minority Leader Edwine Anayo and Clerk Nelcon Sagwe.

The four leaders were accused of embezzling funds while serving on the assembly's public service board, influencing awards of tenders and getting kickbacks from contractors.

At the same time, a man who exposed the rot in the management of Sh92.7 million disbursed for monthly maintenance of ward offices by the assembly now fears for his life.

Ben Orengo Wamaya, a resident of Migosi Ward yesterday recorded a statement at Central Police Station with claims that he was accosted by a bodyguard of one of the MCAs who warned him of unspecified reprisals.

The threats came after The Standard published details of how MCAs had failed to account for Sh55.6 million meant for ward office maintenance.

In a petition to the assembly, Mr Wamaya had accused an MCA of being a signatory to the ward office account, yet the Constitution disallows it.

The petition triggered the assembly clerk Owen Ojuok to write a letter to the MCAs, warning them to comply with the regulations guiding the use of the funds.