Joho distances self from MCAs being probed over allegations of bribery at Coca-Cola plant

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho addresses the press in the county on September 30, 2016. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Six members of Mombasa's health committee were questioned by Ethics and Anti-Corruption team soon after interviewing managers at Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Kikambala over allegations of contaminated water at the place.
  • The Members of County Assembly are alleged to have received bribe.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has distanced himself from members of his County Assembly being probed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over bribery allegations.

Mr Joho said the law should be allowed to take its course in the matter where six members of the county’s Health Committee were questioned by the graft team soon after interviewing managers at the Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Kikambala over allegations of contaminated water at the plant.

The MCAs are alleged to have received or were in the process of taking Sh1 million bribe from the plant after finding foreign content in some Dasani bottled water.

County Director of Communications Richard Chacha said the governor was not involved in any way with the assembly proceedings and that he never interferes with their work.

Earlier at a press briefing, the MCAs denied the bribery allegations, accusing the anti-graft agency of setting them up. They also described the development as political.

KIBWANA SWALEH

Led by the committee’s Chairman Kibwana Swaleh, the MCAs termed the matter as speculations by EACC and a ploy to malign Mr Joho’s administration. “Whoever gave EACC information wanted to soil our names and that of the governor. Mombasa has always been put on the spotlight and in bad light. They want to show our electorate that we, including the governor, do not deserve to be re-elected in the 2017 general election,” he said.

However, contacted by the Nation, Mr Chacha said: “The assembly is an independent body. They are not directed by the governor. It has not come to his attention. He read all these from the media. The law is being followed”.

Speaking at the Assembly offices, the MCAs dismissed the claims as total lies and a fabrication. Mr Swaleh, who is also the Miritini ward rep, said he recorded a statement at the EACC offices saying no one was found with Sh1 million. He insisted that the MCAs are not corrupt. “The allegations by EACC were that we were supposed to get Sh1 million but we proved them wrong. We won’t sue them for maligning our name. We are innocent,” he said.

But EACC acting Deputy Director Lower Coast Region Simon Cherpka refuted the claims, saying they are sticking to a fact that it is their duty to find out the truth.