Clerk sent packing for alleged funds misuse

County Assembly Clerk Josephat Musambayi has been suspended indefinitely for alleged misappropriation of funds.

The County Assembly Service Board said in a letter signed by its deputy chairman and Leader of Majority, Mr David Ogova, that Mr Musambayi bought vehicles for the assembly without following procedures and board approval.

Mr Musambayi is also accused of funding a trip to Singapore for members of the executive and county assembly without board approval.

It was during the same trip that Deputy Governor Caleb Amaswache was deported by the Singapore authorities for alleged drunk and disorderly behaviour. “Assembly workers have not been paid for three months yet the clerk is spending money on foreign trips,” said Mr Ogova.

“He has not heeded past disciplinary measures taken against him by the board and frustrated the external board member by not paying him his allowances,” he said.

The board said the clerk’s integrity was also in question as he was involved in a case at the Kakamega High Court where he has been charged with fraudulently acquiring land belonging to a dead person.

“You are required to immediately hand over your duties and all county assembly property,” the suspension letter said.

But Mr Musambayi on Thursday vowed to stay put, saying he is a constitutional office holder and could only be removed through laid down procedures.

“I am being victimised because I only reminded members of the county assembly to repay their car loans and mortgages. What is wrong in asking people to repay government money?” he said.

Mr Musambayi said he had demanded that the reps surrender their title deeds and logbooks as security for the loans by April 27 or they would not be paid their May salaries.

The reps were granted a Sh2 million car loan each and Sh3 million for mortgages between July and December last year.