Call for probe into Kiambu purchase of 72 vehicles

MPs want the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the purchase of 72 vehicles by the county government.

They also vowed to go to court in a bid to reverse the decision to buy ward administrators the vehicles at a cost of Sh360 million.

Ms Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Mr Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu) and Mr Ferdinand Waititu (MP-elect Kabete) said the money should instead have been used to repair roads.

They accused governor William Kabogo of arm-twisting nominated and some elected MCAs to pass the motion on Tuesday last week and “perpetrate misuse of public funds”.

However, contacted, Mr Kabogo dismissed the claims as unfounded and said the vehicles would help boost services at grassroots level.

He said the administrators’ vehicles would also be used in provision of health, agricultural, security and other services in the 60 wards.

“I have no time for empty politicking and sideshows. Let them keep on talking as we continue to serve the people,” the governor said.

The MPs claimed that contrary to the law, the vehicles were bought long before the matter was presented before the Assembly for approval and that the tendering was not made public.

“We have information that the tender to supply the vehicles was won by close relatives of a senior county official,” Ms Ng’ang’a said.

Mr Ichung’wah accused Mr Kabogo of taking residents “for a ride and ignoring the will of the public”.

The MPs were speaking in Thika town on Saturday during the presentation of Sh15 million constituency bursary cheques to 1,859 secondary and college students.

Mr Waititu told the governor to prepare for a resounding defeat come the next elections in which he would oppose him.