William Kabogo accuses MPs of 'peddling lies' to residents

Kiambu, Kenya: Governor William Kabogo has accused a section of Kiambu MPs of peddling lies to the people that his administration is riddled with corruption.

Kabogo said the MPs have been telling residents that he had refused to honour summons by the Senate committee on Finance to answers queries of financial misappropriation raised by the Auditor General.

Mr Kabogo maintained that he had presented himself to the Senate committee three times, without managing to get a hearing.

"There is a lot of cheap and petty politics in this county. I have not refused to appear before the Senate. I have personally gone there three times but the sitting did not take place because the chairman, Boniface Khalwale, was not present. They should stop peddling lies to wananchi," said Kabogo.

Kiambu MPs Kimani Ichungw'a (Kikuyu), Alice Ng'ang'a (Thika Town), Mburu Kahangara (Lari) and Kigo Njenga (Gatundu North) have been pressuring the governor to appear before the Senate to answer to the audit queries.

POLITICAL NOVICES

Speaking in Kiambu town on Monday, Kabogo dismissed the MPs, claiming they were only interested in discrediting his administration.

"I won't be taught how to be accountable by beginners who joined politics the other day. They do not understand politics in this region," he said.

But in response, the Gatundu North MP told the governor to stop side shows on serious matters that touch on the welfare of Kiambu people.

"As people's representatives and residents of the county, we have a duty and a right to protect public funds. The money does not belong to the governor, but to the people. We will be failing as leaders should we stop to do so," said Mr Kigo.

Mr Ichungw'a reiterated that Kabogo has no option but be prepared to satisfactorily answer queries raised by the Auditor General's report.

SENATE ADVICE

"Accountability is not a choice for any political leader, including the governor. He must be accountable to the people of Kiambu since the money he is handling is not his," said Ichungw'a said.

The lawmakers called on the National Treasury to heed to the Senate's advice, and freeze any disbursement of money to the county, until the Governor honours Senate summons.

Last July, Kabogo attracted the wrath of the Senate committee on Finance after he failed to appear before it, for the second time, and decided to send a County Executive to represent him.

The committee maintained that it would only listen to Governor Kabogo, since he was the accounting officer of the county.