Family feud plays out as Monda denies bribery allegations

**Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda.** [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda put up a strong battle to save himself from impeachment even as family disputes played out before senators yesterday.

The rifts between Monda and his brother Reuben Orangi who was one of the key witnesses for Kisii County Assembly and Joseph Misati, a close friend to the deputy governor, and his son Dennis Mokaya, who alleged to have bribed Monda for a job, puzzled senators.

“I would like to confirm that Misati who has been my friend for over 30 years and his four sons visited my home where we held discussion. They hinted Mokaya had applied for a job at Gusii Water and Sanitation Company. I told them the right process would be followed,” said Monda.

He told the Senate that the money he got from Mokaya was a refund of Sh500,000 he loaned out to his father and that the two families were friends, disputing the assertion it was a bribe.

Monda said he called GWASCO Managing Director Lucy Wahito asking whether there were such jobs of which she confirmed and admitted of having erroneously sent Sh100,000 to her and that successfully asked for a refund of the money, which was meant for one Gladys Aminga. He said the money was meant for a consignment of building materials.

Led by his lawyer, Katwa Kigen, Monda denied threatening Mokaya and that he has never held a direct conversation with him despite their two families being friends for over three decades.

Monda told the Senate he has been allocated six county staff working at his home and that he had submitted names to Kisii County Public Service Board while the enforcement officers guarding his home were deployed there immediately that was elected in August 2022.

Orangi had accused him of orchestrating his arrest over trees he had planted on the family land, accusing him of sending the enforcement officers to arrest him.

“My brother has been very rough to us, including our father, since he became the Kisii Deputy Governor. I do not have any political interests since I am very sick,” said Orangi.