MPs defend Alfred Mutua against claims of corruption

By Victor Nzuma

Machakos, Kenya: Eight Ukambani MPs have castigated the Auditor General for making public an audit report before it reaches the intended recipient.

Referring to the audit report on Machakos County government dated February 12 that was addressed to the county assembly clerk, the MPs said they learnt with deep shock that copies of the same were being circulated in Machakos town some days before even reaching the clerk. Led by Victor Munyaka (Machakos town), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Benson Mbai (Masinga) and Francis Mwangangi (Yatta), the MPs mostly from Kitui County accused the Auditor General of breaching professional ethics by releasing the document to the public for speculation.

The MPs, who were speaking during the official launch of 70 ambulances by Governor Alfred Mutua at Kenyatta Stadium Tuesday, demanded an apology from the Auditor General. “We are convinced that the report was politically instigated to bring down the governor,’’ said Musyoka. The MPs also took issue with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who they accused of fuelling endless differences between the governor and Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama. They warned Kalonzo that the party stands to lose its popularity in Ukambani region if he does not desist from witch-hunting elected leaders.

But the governor in his speech downplayed the audit report, saying he was ready to answer all charges levelled against him.

He said the 70 ambulances, plus another ten motorcycles designed for the same service, cost his government Sh150 million and would assist in boosting medicare in the county.