Report on Sh2 million ‘robbery’ to be published

By DOMINICK MITIRO

Kisumu, Kenya: Kisumu County Government is set to release a report on the alleged robbery of millions of shillings from its city hall.

On March 16, unknown people reportedly broke into Kisumu City Hall and stole Sh2,348,105.

Computerised financial records were allegedly tampered with in the event.

The acting city manager Christopher Rusana said four staff members attached to the finance section alongside a security guard recorded their statements with the police the following day.

James Kogo and Kelvin Ogola, who served as night guards on the fateful Sunday night, were charged with the theft.

They were however released on a Sh800,000 bond with surety of similar amount each.

The County government workers union, through Secretary General Rushid Ondu, said their colleagues had been accused unfairly. 

CORRUPTION MATTER

“Some people who ought to step aside for investigations and possible legal actions about the city hall robbery are being protected by the governor’s office,” said Ondu.

MP Shakeel Shabbir, a former mayor of the city alleged the incident was corruption in disguise, adding that the County government must move with speed to clear what he termed a mess in the city hall.

“I am a former mayor in Kisumu and I know for a fact this is simply a matter of corruption,” said Shabbir.     

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations held at Jomo Kenyatta sports ground in Kisumu, the deputy governor Ruth Odinga revealed the matter had been handed over to a private forensic audit firm.

She said the team had completed its task and was to submit the report any time this week.