Anti-Graft agency summons
DG Kiala over stolen pipes
By Martin Masai, Nairobi, January 2016
MACHAKOS Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala
is facing a grilling session by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged theft and diversion of pipes.
The pipes, valued at Sh23 million,
were intended for an irrigation project
in Kibauni Location as an anti-poverty intervention but were diverted to his
Masinga farm(Pictured Right) by the contractor.
Interestingly,the contractor, Mr Julius Kilungu was a candidate for the Mwala Parliamentary seat where the intended project was being implemented. He has also recorded statements with the police, allegedly saying that he delivered the pipes to the Masinga farm of Mr Kiala.
The matter has been pending before the CID in
Machakos since Kiala first recorded a statement as allegations surfaced that
the pipes installed in his farm were bought using public finances, an
allegation Kiala denies.
Observer believe that the matter would have died
down had relations between Kiala and Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua remained
cordial.
Dr Mutua, who instigated a County Assembly
vote to impeach Kiala that collapsed at the intervention of the Senate, has
been pressing for the prosecution of his deputy over the pipes, saying that the
alleged theft undermines his fight to eradicate poverty from the people of
Machakos.
Kiala has also been alleging at public
meetings that Dr Mutua was presiding over corruption in the county and at the
same time called for his prosecution.
The EACC is weighing into the pipes
matter for the first time. The Commission has summoned Kiala in a letter dated
January 15 2016 and signed by EACC legal director Mr David Too on behalf of
chief executive Halakhe Waqo, citing the fact that the investigations are in
line with EACC’s constitutional and statutory mandate.
“The commission would like you to
record a statement regarding matters we are investigating. Take notice that
failure to adhere to this notice will attract penal consequences,” said Mr Too.
If they find Kiala culpable, Machakos County
will enter the annals of history as the first county where the governor and his
deputy face criminal charges.
EACC is seeking to drag Dr Mutua to court to
stand trial with six other senior officials over impropriety in the purchase of
the executive fleet of the county in 2013.
Mutua’s prosecution is being delayed by a
court process where he is seeking to bar EACC and the Director of Public
Prosecution Mr Keriako Tobiko from prosecuting over the cars.
