Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has accused his embattled deputy of rampant corruption and gross misconduct.
Dr Mutua claimed Bernard Kiala has used his position to divert water pipes meant for the community in Mwala sub-county, leading to the collapse of the Sh13.6m Kamu Irrigation Scheme.
“My deputy stole and diverted water pipes for the scheme to set up a massive irrigation scheme on his farm in Masinga sub-county,” said the governor.
But Mr Kiala dismissed Mutua’s claims and accused him of using diversionary politics instead of facing reality.
“If Mutua has any evidence that I diverted the said water pipes, then the best he can do is to walk to the nearest police station and record a statement,” Kiala said.
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On procurement issues, Kiala said as deputy governor, he had no involvement whatsoever and asked his boss to pay contractors their pending dues.
Kiala said the county had many pressing issues that needed to be addressed urgently, singling out the serious water shortage problem in major towns and villages.
But Mutua further tore into Kiala for allegedly influencing the award of ‘inflated’ tenders to people associated to him.
He said the country would be world class if government officials concentrated on spending public money well and worked tirelessly for wananchi.
“It is quite sad that while I spend sleepless nights planning and working on how to protect public resources, my deputy governor is busy planning how to steal and take us back,” said the governor.
The governor said the relevant documents regarding Kiala’s charges have been forwarded to various investigative arms for action.
He urged those charged with the investigations to move with speed and probe allegations of corruption and other malpractices by Kiala. “We cannot continue with endless investigations while thieves continue to walk around freely,” he said.
The county boss added that Maendeleo chap chap is about zero tolerance to corruption, adding that corrupt officials have no place in his government and must pack and go before he kicks them out.
