Senator Khalwale blames graft for Bukhungu collapse

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has accused the area County Government of corruption in the refurbishment of Bukhungu Stadium after the collapse of a part of the facility on Saturday.

Khalwale has said that the Members of the County Assembly (MCA)s who were attacked while carrying out investigations would have unearthed the cause of the collapse.

He added that the tendering process for the upgrade remains undisclosed with the collapse questions as to whether due processes had been followed.

“We want the Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to tell us how much money has since been paid to the contractor. This could be up to KSh600m which we cannot account for,” the outspoken leader charged.

The Senator further accused Oparanya of hiring goons to attack MCAs led by Cleophas Malala (Mahiakalo) and Alex Khamasi (nominated) together with a commission from the County Assembly that had been dispatched to the scene to investigate the collapse.

However the County Director of Communication, Sumba Juma denied the Khalwale claims as Kakamega leaders continue bickering over the project estimated to cost Ksh1b with the building work stopped for investigations into the incident.

“The Governor is away from the country on official duty and there has not been any sort of communication whatsoever between about the accusations.

“No MCA was attacked in the stadium since there are no photos showing them running which means that Senator Khalwale is only telling lies,” Sumba said.

“The constitution allows anyone to inquire from the National Construction Authority how contractors were awarded contracts and how they’re paid but it should be done professionally,” he added.

The County Government has also confirmed that the renovation will go on against the will of a section of area leaders.