Ruto’s ally impeached by reps in corruption probe
What you need to know:
- The member representing Singorwet ward, further accused Mr Cheruiyot of allowing and facilitating the payment of projects that had not been approved by the assembly.
- Mrs Korir at the same time claimed that Mr Cheruiyot could not convince their committee how the Sh61 million which the county government had received from the Transition Authority for the construction of offices of the executive and the County Assembly chambers was spent.
- In his defence, Mr Cheruiyot said the issue of overdraft was unavoidable on the onset of devolution because the funds were necessary for payment of salaries for both the executive and assembly workers.
Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s administration on Wednesday suffered a major blow after one of his ministers was impeached for “incompetence” and contravening the law.
Trade executive committee member David Cheruiyot was sent home after the County Assembly adopted an ad hoc committee’s report that recommended his removal.
The notice to have him impeached had been tabled at the County Assembly two months ago when he was still in charge of the finance docket.
Mr Cheruiyot had survived a similar motion last year when most ward reps supported his removal only to rescind the decision later.
On Wednesday, Deputy Speaker Joyce Korir said Mr Cheruiyot was behind the county government’s financial mess.
She said the Trade minister had advised the county to obtain overdrafts before presenting the proposal to the House for approval.
The member representing Singorwet ward, further accused Mr Cheruiyot of allowing and facilitating the payment of projects that had not been approved by the assembly.
Mrs Korir, for instance, gave an example of the ongoing construction of the ultra-modern stadium at the county headquarters.
She said the county had approved Sh30 million for its construction but so far the facility had gobbled up Sh187 million and it is not yet complete.
“The Executive was unable to explain to the investigating committee where the extra funds used for the project were sourced from,” she said.
Mrs Korir at the same time claimed that Mr Cheruiyot could not convince their committee how the Sh61 million which the county government had received from the Transition Authority for the construction of offices of the executive and the County Assembly chambers was spent.
Kimulot Ward Rep Samson Towett echoed Mrs Korir sentiments saying the county needed a person who was well-versed with financial regulations to stop the county from plunging into further financial mess.
Efforts by the Kong’asis Ward representative Reuben Langat and his Siongiroi counterpart Leonard Kirui to postpone the impeachment to a later date was shot down.
Both had argued that the mood of the House was not conducive following the expulsion of the nine nominated MCAs.
In his defence, Mr Cheruiyot said the issue of overdraft was unavoidable on the onset of devolution because the funds were necessary for payment of salaries for both the executive and assembly workers.
On the issue of bouncing cheques, Mr Cheruiyot admitted that at the time, his cashbook was not up to date but stated that he rectified the anomaly before he moved to his new docket. Mr Cheruiyot at the same time told the House that he had explained to Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission how the Sh61 million received from the Transition Authority was used.
