I am in office, resignation letter is fake, says Governor Tolgos

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos addressing people in a past function. He has refuted claims that he has resigned as county's boss. [File, Standard]

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has denied claims that he has resigned.

Tolgos distanced himself from a resignation letter he purportedly authored that has been circulating on social media terming it as fake.

The letter, that bore the county’s letterhead and the Governor’s signature sparked an online debate barely a week after Mr Tolgos declared that his county was broke.

But the Governor assured residents of the county that he was still in office, terming the circulation of the letter as a scheme to generate fake news and discredit his administration.

The letter was addressed to the Speaker of the Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Philemon Sabulei, notifying the speaker of a decision of the Governor to relinquish his seat due to frustrations by the national government.

“Pursuant to Article 182 (2) of the 2010 constitution, I regret to inform you that I hereby tender my resignation from the seat of the Governor of Elgeyo Marakwet,” the purported resignation letter reads.

The alleged resignation quoted Mr Tolgos as saying that he had taken the move to resign after wide consultations with his family members, doctors and political supporters.

According to the letter, the county boss cites move by the national government to classify the county as hardship area, causing employees to be entitled to a Sh13,000 hardship allowance, and leaving very little funds for development.

It also cites, as reasons for resigning, unfavourable formula by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) as well as threats to his life by unknown people.

“My health has also greatly deteriorated and my doctors have advised me that with the current pressure that I face every day, I must take a break from public life,” it read.

A brief statement from the Governor Tolgos’ office said the matter had been reported to security agencies and that investigations had been launched.

Mr Tolgos said: “Our attention has been drawn to a supposed letter of resignation. We hereby dismiss the letter as fake news and assure the public that efforts are being made to track the authors and the culprit who forged the Governor's signature.”

The statement said crucial leads in the investigations are pointing to some individuals.

Elgeyo Marakwet police commander Kennedy Kimani said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers are tracking the author of the letter.