Embattled Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, who is facing impeachment proceedings before the Senate, is accused of nine serious allegations some of them criminal, the House has said.
While setting up a committee to investigate the claims that led to Iria’s impeachment by the county Assembly, senators described the 25 charges as extremely serious.
The governor is accused of lacking accountability for the management and use of county resources by incurring debts to the tune of Sh2.5 billion, and which were not disclosed in the Debt Management Paper as required by law. He is also accused of spending public funds in private commercial entities.
Citing the famous Shillingi Kwa Shilligi county investment cooperative society, it is alleged the county Executive contributed Sh28 million in respect to advertisement to promote the initiative yet it is autonomous.
The allegation is based on the Auditor General report which said it was not clear under what circumstance the entity was being funded by the county.
On criminal grounds the governor is alleged to have obtained a loan of Sh200 million from a commercial bank without approval by the National Treasury, to buy 20 bales of hay from Mariira farm without documentary evidence. It is also alleged the governor has not been submitting statutory deductions of the defunct local authorities which have accumulated interest to the tune of Sh131 million.
“These are very serious charges mostly criminal. I know the governor once told this Senate that he was not a tourist attraction, but let us not bring that matter into this process, I urge the committee to be objective,” said Senator Kiraitu Murungi while contributing to a motion moved by Deputy Majority Leader Charles Keter.
Mutahi Kagwe urged the 11-member committee to resist political manipulations. The members are David Musila, Janet Ong’era, Billow Kerrow, Stephen Sang, Fatuma Dhulo, John Lonyangapuo, Catherine Mukite, Moses Kajwang’, Stewart Madzayo, Karue Muriuki and Abu Chiaba. Last evening the committee met and elected Musila as chair and Dhulo his deputy. They have 10 days to table a report.
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