What begun as a question on use of millions of money in the rehabilitation of dams and the selection of contractors has mutated into despicable sideshows.
Rather than respond to querries on how much was used on the dams, the contractors deployed and the process used, governor Wavinya Ndeti responded angrily be stating that she will not be intimidated by anyone and added that her critics were cry babies who missed out on the contracts.
While it is true that Francis Ngunga, the MCA for Mua Ward is a contractor who previously executed contracts under Governor Alfred Mutua's administration, it has not been confirmed that he bid and missed tenders under Wavinya.
Be that as it may, there is a growing din of relentless questioning on the rehabilitation of approximately 80 dams that are alleged to have been done by contractors of Somali extraction, carrying out questionable works and being paid promptly and handsomely. It is alleged that the tenders are dispensed with between Finance Minister Muia Kuyu, Director of Procurement Mr Kekee Mathuki and a behind- the- shadows young man who works without an official title but has warm space in the inner sanctum of the Office of the Governor.
The Anchor has put the question to the Governor's Chief of Staff and no answers have been provided. Sample the question: " To debunk lies, propaganda or misinformation, can the Machakos County Government publish a list of all dams done under Gvn Ndeti, complete with name, address of contractors, amount used and current status?"
Wavinya herself has been reported as questioning why dams are being rehabilitated or constructed to the tune of Kes 40m.
Besides, the national procurement authority has entered the fray to probe the procurement of the 80 dams that cost over Kes 300 million- and therefore it is not a matter.
Wavinya will brush aside easily.
While Ngunga's may have been a legitimate concern, it could also be that he was speaking over sore grapes🍇.
But what is callous to the extreme is the deployment of a battery of officials from the Works, revenue, public health, Liqour,water, trade and physical planning- escorted by a formation of County Enforcement Askaris to frisk Ngunga's businesses to establish whether he pays County dues.
The raid came at a time no single business in the County has a 2024 authorization to trade by way of required licensing. Indeed all traders are currently preparing to pay up. Those selling liquor like Ngunga have upto January 22 to have inspections done ahead of licensing.
It is instructive that the raid or inspection was as selective as it was targeted to only one person; Francis Ngunga. No other business premises was 'inspected' that day. At the school, the Askaris reportedly whisked away a teacher, setting an unprecedented intervention in the education sector.
The Anchor was unable to establish if the two premises had licences for 2023. Some county sources say Ngunga had licences for 2023 while others say he did not show them any. The two positions cannot be true at the same time. This shows that the county staff is so immersed in politics that the truth may remain obfuscated.
Nevertheless, Ngunga was hauled to the County Court to answer charges of trading without a licence.
It is the newest turmoil after a chaotic shake-up of the Revenue department that has seen revenue uncollected as staff struggle to report to new stations.
The raid on Ngunga has not settled quite well with some elected leaders in the County who see themselves as the next targets should they raise fingers against Wavinya.
It could also be a pointer to the question whether MCAs pay licences and fees that they pass in the County Assembly to be paid by their voters.
What is alarming is the decision to deploy the county Askaris to raid a critic's business. Is the unit serving in the county's best intrest or has become a personal militia? Who deployed the team?
All blame appears to be directed to the Machakos County Chief of Staff Lawrence Ngovi.
Ngunga accused the COS of witch hunt, an allegation that Ngovi instantly the rubbished, terming Ngunga's utterances as mere noise,maintaing that he has nothing to do with the on going public health and revenue department crackdown.
Even then,Ngovi went ahead to rub in that all the stipulated guidelines for business primises should be met and people should stop politicising issues especially when they are on the wrong side of the law.
He maintained that no one is above the law and those raids are regular exercises that are done to make sure that all business entities in the County have adhered to the set guidelines and standards.
