Vihiga governor Akaranga's wife named in illegal payment probe

Over 200 Vihiga county officials were paid more than Sh60,000 to attend a two-day event in Nairobi.

According to documents seen by the Nation, the beneficiaries include wife of Governor Moses Akaranga Mrs Elizabeth Akaranga, deputy governor Caleb Amaswache and the Trade, Tourism and Industrialisation executive Clara Indire.

The list also has names of other county executives, chief officers and other senior county officials.

Names of over 200 others have also been included.

Consequently, traders in the region led by Mr Idd Sufuria have called for the sacking of Trade chief officer Tom Akolo.

“This is blatant waste of funds,” said Mr Sufuria.

But Mr Akolo told Nation on telephone that the imprest list and the memorandum by traders was a witch-hunt by people who are against his work.

“I do not handle imprests. This is aimed at blackmailing me. I will not succumb to anyone as God is my true witness,” he said.

He also dismissed the controversial imprest list and said it was not the original copy submitted by his office.

Mr Akolo did not get the support of his boss, Trade minister Clara Indire, who seemed to agree with the traders.

Ms Indire said she had informed Mr Akaranga about the alleged misdeeds.

“I cannot say much because the traders memorandum has said it all,” she said.

Ms Indire added: “My hands are tied. The chief officer is not directly reporting to me as it is required.”

She advised Mr Akaranga to wisely address the concerns by the residents.

And Monday, Mr Akaranga ordered for an audit of the department.

He also sacked the county trade director Morris Owiro for failing to submit some documents to his office in good time.

“I have directed the county secretary to immediately get an auditor to investigate suspected forgery of imprest sheets,” he said.