Sonko discredits Auditor General’s report over missing millions

Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has clashed with the office of the Auditor General over the payment of Ksh.98 million to a company associated with Meru Senator Mithika Linturi.

In an eight hour grilling session, Governor Sonko’s first submission was to discredit the report by the Auditor General that flagged outrageous expenses by Nairobi County during his first year in office.

“The auditors demanded for bribes to write a favourable report,” alleged governor Sonko.

On his part, an agitated Senator Linturi noted that the audit report had listed his company Gem CM Construction limited to have been paid Ksh.98.8 million to rehabilitate Nduaru road in Dagoretti South, money he says he has never received since his company has never applied for such a contract.

“This is how money is being stolen.. I have never done that business…,” said Senator Linturi.

Sonko bribery claims during the audit process however prompted the committee to call for further investigations.

The tiff between governor Sonko and Nairobi Senator Johnstone Sakaja played out again with Sonko tabling documents before the Moses Kajwang-led committee, accusing Sakaja of evading payments amounting to Ksh.40 million.

“We must fight corruption as a committee in this audit queries this Ksh.40 million was supposed to be paid by Sakaja.. These are documents Mr. chair.,” said Sonko.

The Senate Committee directed that the governor to present documents before the committee over the same.

The governor was also pressed to explain how Ksh.18 million was spent on the beautification of Nairobi and how some of this money ended up in the pockets of casual labourers.