Ministers fate hangs in the balance over graft allegations

Ministers fate hangs in the balance over graft allegations

By Bernard Rotich

Kericho’s Natural Resources County Executive Member Gilbert Tuwei’s fate hangs in the balance after Members of Kericho County Assembly unanimously passed a motion requiring him to be held accountable over alleged misappropriation of millions of shillings in his docket.

In a charged session, the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) unanimously approved the Tebesonik Ward Representative Bracollin Rono’s motion requiring the County Executive Committee (CEC) member to furnish the Assembly with the list of locations of water projects, delivery notes, bill of quantities of the projects, invoices used to pay the contractors.

The county legislators also asked Tuwei to present the total cost of the projects and names of contractors.

Kapkugurwet MCA, Samuel Ngetich, said they were under pressure from the local residents over water projects and they could not afford to lose their seats on the account of the CEC member.

Litein MCA, Lillian Cheruiyot, expressed concern that CEC had formed a habit of submitting unsigned documents and other materials which couldn’t be verified whenever the Assembly asked to vet transactions

Brenda Ruto (Nominated) said it was unacceptable for the Assembly to appropriate money to the wards for water projects only for them to fail because of the inaction from the executive arm of the county government

Cheptororiate/Seretut MCA, Livingstone Kipkoech said they would play their oversight role without fear or favour.

Speaker Japheth Kiptergech Mutai directed the house Water, Energy, Forest and Natural Resources committee to prepare a report over the mater to be presented on December 4 for further deliberations.

County governments have been rocked by numerous graft and procurement irregularity scandals in recent months.

Bungoma County government was under fire in October following revelations that the county had bought wheelbarrows for Ksh100, 000.

In September, reports that Meru County had spent Ksh7 million on hospital curtains infuriated Kenyans on social media.

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