Executive George Mulatya interdicted over wife's case

Kitui County Government's head of PR and Communication Munyasya Musya when he read Governor Julius Malombe's statement on January 20, 2016 over the interdiction of Environment Executive George Mulatya

Kitui: Governor Julius Malombe has interdicted Environment Executive George Mulatya until a court case involving his wife is heard and determined.

Mr Mulatya's wife, Faith Kithele has been mentioned in the Sh28 million scam.

"...after the case, he (Mr Mulatya) may either be reinstated to his position or his services terminated as the facts and other aspects pertaining to the case may warrant," Mr Malombe said.

In a statement read by Public Relations and Communications head Munyasya Musya, the county chief directed Trade Eexecutive Jonah Mwinzi to take over Mulatya's docket.

"As you know, this matter in under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department and is already in court. I therefore appeal to the public to allow the matter to undergo the due legal process to its conclusion without undue acts of interference that may prejudice the court and related investigations," he said.

Mulatya is the sixth senior officer to be interdicted over claims of corruption, incompetence and abuse of office.

Ms Kithele is among twelve people who have been charged so far with stealing Sh93 million between March and December last year from the county government.

The case will be heard before Principal Magistrate Esther Boke on February 10. The court consolidated Kithele and businessman Alex Kioko's cases with those of Sarah Wangui Kamau, Mary Waithira Gikungu and Margaret Mutei Musee.

Mulatya's wife, a renowned Kamba gospel musician, and her co-accused denied the charges and were set free on a Sh4 million bond with similar sureties each or a Sh300,000 cash bail.

On December 10 last year, Governor Malombe sent home County Secretary Musyoka Nyamai, Lands Executive Paul Kioko, Chief Officer for Culture, Youth, Gender, Sports and Social Services Emma Kitemange, her Finance and Economic Planning counterpart Grace Muimi and Deputy Director for Health and Sanitation Evans Mumo.

Malombe said the accusations against the interdicted officers varied from demanding bribes from contractors and suppliers to collusion with service providers to either process or make payments for undelivered goods.