Battle against Machakos PSB

Inside the battle to oust 
Machakos Public Service Board

 Details on sex, graft, incompetence and self interest and sheer greed

 

By Anchor Reporter

The Machakos County Assembly is battling with a motion to remove some members of the Public Service Board following a fall out with Governor Wavinya Ndeti.

Governor Wavinya and her Deputy Mr Mwangangi(L)

If approved by one fifth of the members of the assembly, Governor Wavinya will be empowered to remove the Chairman George Kioko wa Luka, his Deputy Ex Councilor Cecilia Sereka, man alleged to be randy now serving as Secretary of the Board Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya and Ms. Stella Nduku Muthoka.

Speaker Anne Kiusya

They are accused of a plethora of offences that undermine their integrity, nepotism, Conflict of Interest, abuse of office and irregular hiring. Muia also faces allegations of sexual nature- by using the tools provided for his work to procure sexual favours. The Board members deny the allegations and allege that the fall-out is as a result of rejecting efforts by the governor to impose unqualified people to be employed as Chief Officers of the county in the ongoing recruitment efforts.

The motion is being prosecuted by Assembly Majority Leader Mr Nicholas Nzioka who is also the MCA for Machakos Central Ward. 

Mr Nzioka

Below is the exact wording of the petition

“Honorable Speaker, Aware that Article 10 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provides for

the National values and principles of governance beinga. Patriotism, national unity, sharing, devolution of power, the rule of law, democracy and

participation of the people

b. Human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, nondiscrimination and protection of the marginalized

c. Good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability

d. Sustainable development

Honorable Speaker, aware that Article 73 of the Constitution of Kenya stipulates that;

1) Authority assigned to a State officer—

(a) Is a public trust to be exercised in a manner that—

(i) is consistent with the purposes and objects of this Constitution;

(ii) Demonstrates respect for the people;

 

 

 (iii) Brings honor to the nation and dignity to the office; and

(iv) Promotes public confidence in the integrity of the office

(b) Vests in the State officer the responsibility to serve the people, rather than the power to rule them.

(2) The guiding principles of leadership and integrity include—

(a) Selection on the basis of personal integrity, competence and suitability, or election in free

and fair elections;

(b) Objectivity and impartiality in decision making, and in ensuring that decisions are not

influenced by nepotism, favoritism, other improper motives or corrupt practices;

(c) Selfless service based solely on the public interest, demonstrated by—

(i) Honesty in the execution of public duties; and

(ii) The declaration of any personal interest that may conflict with public duties; (d)

Accountability to the public for decisions and actions; and

(e) Discipline and commitment in service to the people.

Honorable Speaker, Appreciating that Article 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provides for

the values and principles of public service as –

a. High standards of professionalism ethics

b. Efficient, effective and economic use of resources

c. Responsive, prompt, effective, impartial and equitable provision of services

d. Involvement of the people in the process of policy making

e. Accountability for administrative acts

f. Transparency and provisions to the public of timely, accurate information

g. Subject to paragraphs (h) and (i) , fair competition and merit as the basis of appointments and

promotions

h. Representation of Kenya’s diverse communities

i. Affording adequate and equal opportunities for appointment, training and advancement, at

levels of the public service ofi. Men and women

ii. The members of all ethnic groups and

iii. Persons with disabilities.

Honorable Speaker, aware that Article 235(1) of the Constitution of Kenya stipulates that a county

government is responsible, within a framework of uniform norms and standards prescribed by an Act

of Parliament, for––

(a) Establishing and abolishing offices in its public service;

 (b) Appointing persons to hold or act in those offices, and confirming appointments; and

(c) Exercising disciplinary control over and removing persons holding or acting in those offices.

Honorable Speaker, acknowledging that Section 55 of the County Governments Act, 2012, provides

for the objectives of County Public Service being;

(a) Provide for evaluation and reporting on the extent to which the values and principles referred to in

Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution are complied with in the county public service;

(b) Provide for the organization, staffing and functioning of the county public service in ways that

ensure efficient, quality and productive services for the people of the county;

(c) Provide for institutions, systems and mechanisms for human resource utilization and development

in a manner that best enhances service delivery by county public service institutions;

(d) Provide a framework of uniform norms and standards to be applied in all counties in respect of—

(i) Establishment and abolition of offices in the county public service;

(ii) Appointment of persons to hold or act in those offices;

(iii) Confirming appointments; or

(iv) Exercising disciplinary control over and removal of persons holding or acting in those

offices

(e) Provide for the promotion of the values and principles set out in Articles 10 and 232 of the

Constitution in the county public service;

(f) Provide for human resource management and career development practices; (g) address staff

shortages and barriers to staff mobility between counties

(h) Provide for standards to promote ethical conduct and professionalism in county public service;

(i) Provide for the establishment of County Public Service Boards; and

(j) Make further provisions relating to appeals in respect of county governments’ public service.

Honorable Speaker, further aware that Section 57 of the County Governments Act, 2012 establishes

the County Public Service Board. Aware that Section 58 (5) of the same Act states that:

The members of the Board may only be removed from office—

(a) On grounds set out for the removal of members of a constitutional commission under Article

251(1) of the Constitution; and

(b) By a vote of not less than seventy five percent of all the members of the county assembly.

Honorable Speaker, Acknowledging that Article 251 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provides

that;

(1) A member of a commission (other than an ex officio member), or the holder of an independent

office, may be removed from office only for—

(a) Serious violation of this Constitution or any other law, including a contravention of Chapter

six;

(b) Gross misconduct, whether in the performance of the member’s or office holder’s functions or

otherwise;

(c) Physical or mental incapacity to perform the functions of office;

(d) Incompetence; or

(e) Bankruptcy.

Honorable Speaker, Cognizant that, Mr. George Kioko Luka, the Chairperson of the Machakos

County Public Service Board has committed the offences;

(a) That Mr. George Kioko Luka on 13th July, 2021 presided over the inclusion of four (4) officers

into the payroll by purporting to reinstate them. The said people were never employees of the

County Government of Machakos. This is gross misconduct in the performance of the

Chairperson’s functions.

(b) That on 26th April, 2021 Mr. George Kioko Luka shared a list of his preferred officers for

recruitment to all Board Members in anticipation of an advertisement that was due to run in the

newspaper. The advertisement was run in May 2021 and closed on 23rd May, 2021.The

advertisement was of 21 positions, twenty Medical Officers and one General Surgeon. After the

closure of the exercise he personally and deceitfully added four medical officers and one surgeon

making a total of 26. This violates Article 73(2)(c)(i) of the Constitution on honesty in execution

of public duties.

(c) That Mr. George Kioko Luka has let the board operate without a substantive Accounting Officer

and went into alliance with the Secretary who has usurped the powers of both the Chief Executive

Officer of the Secretariat and the Accounting Officer to serve his interest at the expense of

professionalism expected in the institution. This is a demonstration of incompetence on his part.

(d) That Mr. George Kioko Luka has constituted an enterprise in the name of recruitment and

selection that is normally used for illegal dealings and irregular recruitment. It is simply a

criminal enterprise that no law provides for and a serious violation of the law.

(e) That on 26th February, 2021 Mr. George Kioko Luka un-procedurally purported to allocate an

official vehicle to the Vice Chairman, KBX 810T for the single purpose of facilitating the

hiring of her son, Samson Sereka as a driver. Consequently he was hired on a three year

contract at Job Group D. The Officer was not qualified for the Job. This violates Article

73(2)(a) of the Constitution on selection on the basis of personal integrity, competence and

suitability.

(f) The Chairperson facilitated the hiring of Nine Officers among them son of the Vice

Chairperson, Ms. Cecelia Mbinya Sereka being Boniface Mutunkei Sereka of ID 29961233.

Through abuse of delegated authority on 6th August, 2020. The Officers were employed on

contract effective 4th January, 2021 to September, 2022. The son was employed at entry level

of Job Group K, without the necessary qualifications. On the 5th October, 2021, in a meeting

convened and Chaired by the Vice Chairperson (Mother to Boniface Mutunkei) the terms of

the nine officers were illegally changed to permanent and pensionable terms. This is without

regard to the fact that the officers were all being employed in a constitutional office whose

term was to end in August, 2022. This is abuse of office and violation of National Values and

principles of governance as provided for in Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

(g) The Chairperson has failed to address the County’s huge wage bill which is currently at 55.4%

instead of 35% according to regulation 25 (1) (b) of the Public Finance Management (County

Governments) Regulations, 2015. Instead he has been presiding over the payment of huge

amounts of money in terms of illegal extraneous/ other allowances to his relatives among

Regina Mwakio Kioko and the Vice Chairperson’s relatives as well as others working for

different considerations. For instance most employees of the County Public Service Board are

on extraneous allowances despite the fact that they report to work at 8.00am and leave at

5.00pm. A look at the list of thirteen among them his daughter, includes cleaners who are put

on extraneous allowances for just what doing what they were employed to do. This is violation

of National Values and principles of governance as provided for in Article 10 of the

Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

(h) That Mr. George Kioko Luka being the Chairperson of the County Public Service Board has

never reported to the County Assembly through a report on the extent to which the values and

principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied in the County Assembly. This is

according to Section 59(1)(f) of the County Governments Act, 2012.This is violation of the

Constitution.

Honorable Speaker, aware that, Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya, the Secretary of the Machakos

County Public Service Board has committed the following offences-

(a) That Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya on 27th April, 2020 wrote to the Chief Officer, Department of

Public Service and Quality Management to unlawfully occasion illegal payments of extraneous

allowances to twenty four (24) officers working in the County Public Service Board including

himself. This is a serious violation on Chapter six of the Constitution of Kenya.

(b) That Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya illegally/unlawfully listed himself as a beneficiary of

Extraneous allowances of Kshs. 25,000 per month knowing well that Board Members are not

entitled to the allowance and without knowledge of other Board Members. This contravenes

Article 232(1) (a) and (b) on the values and principles of public services being high standards of

professional ethics, efficient, effective and economic use of resources.

(c) That Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya has listed one Mr. Joseph Wambua Deputy Secretary/CEO for

extraneous allowances of Kshs. 25,000 knowing very well that such a position does not exist in

the Board and therefore that would be a violation of law. This is misuse of public funds, violation

of the Constitution and incompetence.

(d) That Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya was involved in the awarding of extraneous allowances to

thirteen (13) officers including the Daughter of the Board’s Chairperson, Ms. Regina Wakio

Kioko and dishonestly concealing the surname to hide identity. This is violation of Chapter six

of the Constitution and misuse of public funds.

(e) That Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya wrote the Chief Officer, Department of Public Service and

Quality Management on the 13th July, 2020 to deceitfully purport to reinstate to the payroll four

officers claiming that there was a court order to that effect but where none existed. The said

officers had never been in the County’s payroll and the same had been communicated by the

CECM Public Service. This contravenes the provisions of Articles 10 and 232 of the

Constitution of Kenya

(f) That in the month of August , 2021, Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya was accused of sexual

harassment/intimidation by two officers through letters to the County Secretary and the County

Executive Committee Member for Public Service and Quality Management, which letters were

copied to all Board Members through their individual emails together with evidence inform of

electronic messages. The Officers were Hellen Musau and Caroline Nduku Nzioka. This

contravenes the provisions of Articles 232(1)(a) and 236 of the Constitution of Kenya on the

values and principles of public service. This is also gross misconduct.

(g) That by a letter dated 12th May, 2021 Ms. Caroline Nduku Nzioka was promoted to the position

of Human Resource Management Assistant 1 with effect from 1st January 2021 but her later held

by Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya during which time he was demanding for sexual favors from her.

When the same did not succeed and she reported the matter, he went ahead and purported to

withdraw the same via letter dated 22nd September, 2021 without the due process. This is a

serious violation of Article 236(b) of the Constitution of Kenya.

 (h) That Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya unprofessionally uses intimidation and incompetently handles

official matters in a way that would jeopardize the operations of the Board. He threatens

Members of the Board through advocates to sue when board members are on a different opinion

on a matter under consideration. This shows clearly he is incompetent and abuses the Office of

the Secretary, County Public Service Board.

(i) That Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya being the Secretary of the County Public Service Board has

never reported to the County Assembly through a report on the extent to which the values and

principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied in the County Assembly. This is

according to Section 59(1)(f) of the County Governments Act, 2012.This is violation of the

Constitution.

Honorable Speaker, further aware that, Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka, a member of the Machakos

County Public Service Board has committed the following offences-

(a) That Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka did not declare conflict of interest during a sitting of 6th August,

2020 in the Recruitment and Selection Committee were her son (Mr. Boniface Mutunkei Sereka)

was an applicant and was later recruited. This violates Article 73(2) (c) (ii) of the Constitution

on declaration of personal interest that may conflict with public duties.

(b) That on 5th October, 2021 Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka convened a Committee meeting under

career progression and the terms of employed of Mr. Boniface Mutunkei Sereka was changed

from contract to permanent and pensionable. This also violates Article 73(2)(c)(ii) of the

Constitution on declaration of personal interest that may conflict with public duties.

(c) That on 17th March, 2021 under minute no. 293/03/2021, the recruitment and selection

Committee deliberated on the matter of appointment of a driver. This was based on

misrepresentation that the Vice Chairperson was a PWD (person living with disability). The

committee recommended a personal driver to serve with the official car allocated to her bye the

Chairman, KBX 810T. The deceitful act was made to benefit her and facilitate the hiring of yet

another of her sons namely Samson Sereka on Job group D. This also violates Article 73(2)(c)(ii)

of the Constitution on declaration of personal interest that may conflict with public duties.

(d) The above appointment was meant to benefit the Vice Chairperson through appointment of her

son. The said son was not qualified for the position nor was recruitment competitively done for

the benefit of the said officer. It is also worth noting that the members of the County Public

Service Board have not been provided with official vehicles and therefore Motor Vehicle

registration number KBX 810T was simply towed to the premises to facilitate the appointment

of son to the Vice Chairperson. This is serious violation of Article 10 and Chapter 6 of the

Constitution of Kenya and gross misconduct

 (e) That on 5th October, 2021 Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka convened a meeting under career

progression and gave extraneous allowances to a group of employees among them the daughter

of the Chairperson of CPSB one Regina Wakio Kioko, Deputy Sub County Administrator under

job group P Kshs. 25,000 backdated to 1st July, 2021. This had been declined earlier in

December, 2020. This violates Article 73(2)(b) of the Constitution on objectivity and impartiality

in decision making.

(f) That Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka being the Vice Chairperson of the County Public Service Board

has never reported to the County Assembly through a report on the extent to which the values

and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied in the County Assembly. This is

according to Section 59(1)(f) of the County Governments Act, 2012.This is violation of the

Constitution.

Honorable Speaker, further aware that, Ms. Stella Ndinda Muthoka, a member of the Machakos

County Public Service Board has committed the following offences-

(a) That Ms. Stella Ndinda Muthoka was the Chairperson of the recruitment and selection committee

which during a meeting of 26th February 2021 approved appointment of a driver for the Vice

Chairperson (Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka) one Samson Sereka on Job group D. The position had

not been advertised. Samson Sereka is the son to Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka hence conflict of

interest. This violates Article 73(2) (c) (ii) of the Constitution on declaration of personal interest

that may conflict with public duties.

(b) That on 17th March, 2021, chaired by Ms. Stella Ndinda Muthoka under minute no. 293/03/2021,

the recruitment and selection Committee deliberated on the matter of appointment of a driver.

This was based on misrepresentation that the Vice Chairperson was a PWD (person living with

disability). The committee recommended a personal driver to serve with the official car allocated

to her by the Chairman, KBX 810T. No certificate from Council of Persons living with disability

was presented to warrant for appointment of a personal driver. This is a violation of Article 10,

Chapter 6 and Article 232 of the Constitution.

(c) That Ms. Stella Ndinda Muthoka has been involved in undertakings of the Machakos County

Public Service Board were there was abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds through;

a. Approval of extraneous allowances for specific officers yet the officers working on

normal office hours and perform the duties listed in their appointment letters.

b. Recruitment of officers without following the right criteria.

c. Promotion of Officers without following the provisions of the existing laws and circulars.

d. Appointment of Mr. Joseph Wambua as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the

County Public Service Board yet such office does not exist in the Constitution and the

County Governments Act. This is misuse of public funds, gross misconduct and violation

of Chapter six of the Constitution.

e. Reinstating four officers claiming that there was a court order to that effect but none

existed. The said officers had never been in the County’s payroll and the CECM Public

Service had communicated the same. This contravenes the provisions of Articles 10 and

232 of the Constitution of Kenya

f. Recruitment of five extra officers against an advertisement of 21 positions, twenty

Medical Officers and one General Surgeon Kioko. The advertisement closed on 23rd

May, 2021.After the closure of the exercise four medical officers and one surgeon were

added to the list making a total of 26. This violates Article 73(2)(c)(i) of the Constitution

on honesty in execution of public duties.

g. Has never reported to the County Assembly through a report on the extent to which the

values and principles referred to in Articles 10 and 232 are complied in the County

Assembly. This is violation of the Constitution.

Honorable Speaker, PURSUANT to Article 251(1) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and Section

58(5) of the County Governments Act, 2012 I wish to give notice of motion that; this House Resolves

to recommend removal from office by the Governor of the following;

1. Mr. George Kioko Luka- Chairperson, Machakos County Public Service Board on the grounds

of serious violation of the Constitution, gross misconduct and incompetence.

2. Mr. Onesmus Muia Mutisya- Secretary, Machakos County Public Service Board on the grounds

of serious violation of the Constitution, gross misconduct and incompetence.

3. Ms. Cecilia Mbinya Sereka- Member, Machakos County Public Service Board on the grounds

of serious violation of the Constitution and gross misconduct

4. Ms. Stella Nduku Muthoka- Member, Machakos County Public Service Board on the grounds

of serious violation of the Constitution and gross misconduct”

New Fuliza Tariff

By Irene Nyanzi

 in Nairobi

Safaricom PLC has announced new changes in their overdraft Service, Fuliza.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Safaricom, NCBA and KCB said they have reduced their daily charges on overdrafts by 40 percent.

“We have continued to assess the evolution of consumer behavior and economic conditions to identify ways in which we can further enhance the utility of our digital financial services,” Fuliza said in a statement.

Adding that; "Towards this end, we are introducing a new discounted tariff of up to 40% on Fuliza."

In the changes, borrowers between Sh101 to Sh500 will be charged a daily fee of Sh3, down from Sh5.

Any overdraft above Sh501 to Sh1, 000 will attract a daily fee of Sh6 down from Sh10.

The new tariff takes effect on October 1, 2022.

Fuliza further announced that overdrafts of less than Sh1, 000 will have a three-day waiver on daily fees.

The overdraft capped at Sh70, 000 will see those taking between Sh1, 001 to Sh1,500 Sh2 less in the daily charges down from Sh20. This will be a 10 percent discount.

Sh1, 501 to Sh2, 500 will have users pay Sh20 in daily fees, down from Sh25, representing a 20 percent discount.

Users who will overdraft Sh2, 501 to Sh70, 000 will also have a 16.7 percent discount. This will see users have a daily fee of Sh25 down from the initial Sh30

 Mutula Jnr roots for
 County Grants Bill

September 28, 2022

NAIROBI

By Anchor Reporter

 

 

A bill to facilitate the disbursement of funds from donors and development partners to counties is in the offing.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.

According to Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo, the County Grants Bill which was prepared in the last Senate and was never passed is to be fast tracked, leading to the creation of a law to help in the flaw of funds to counties from sources other than the national government.

In a dispatch, Mr Kilonzo said the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had directed that the bill be published in the National Assembly as soon as it opens during an emergency meeting with all Governors that took place on Monday September 16, 2022 to seek ways to alleviate the current famine situation.

The meeting, chaired Mr Gachagua was attended by outgoing Cabinet Secretaries Margaret Kobia, Ukur Yattani and James Macharia.

The government has so far dispatched 23 trucks of foodstuff including rice and flour were later flagged off by President William Ruto.

Said Mr Kilonzo “While I was at the Senate in the last Parliament, we prepared the County Grants Bill which was never passed. As the Chairman of the Council of Governors Legal Affairs and Government relations committee I was tasked to work on the Grants bill to fruition. This will ease disbursement of funds to counties by donors and partners.

The relief food was sent to the 10 most affected counties in Kenya in the arid and semi-arid counties in Northern Kenya. CS Kobia confirmed that 29 more counties including Makueni will shortly receive the relief food as the Treasury CS was directed to make provisions for funds to support the initiative.

During the meeting, the governor proposed that the relief food be distributed with the assistance of Sub County administrators to curtail pilferage and ensure it gets to deserving residents.

 

Get out to the field,
Mutula orders Doctors 

WOTE: September 14th 2022

By Governor's Press Service

MAKUENI Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has ordered more than 58 Senior Doctors out of their comfortable offices in Wote to offer services to wananchi in local health facilities.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.

They will work from the field to mark the County's Makueni Public Health Week. The medical officers will be required to routinely choose one or more health facilities in the county and camp there for the whole week offering specialized healthcare services.

The Public Health Week begins on Wednesday September 14, 2022 in Mbooni sub-county.

Directors and Medical Superintendents in the Health Services department will lead the campaign and monitor how health services and medicines are dispensed at the facilities.

Governor Mutula Jnr said the decision was borne from the realization that the county has a huge number of talented medical specialists whose services are not available to the residents.

He said it was pitiful that such specialists operate only from the county headquarters and in offices while residents are forced to seek services elsewhere at exorbitant costs.

Governor Ndeti hits the ground running

Governor Ndeti visits

Machakos L5 hospital 

By Daniel Nzia 

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti today kicked off her official duty as the second governor of Machakos county by touring Machakos Level 5 hospital. 

She came face to face with the state of want at the referral hospital and was quick to identify immediate interventions.

She identified lack of medicine and other medical equipment as the major problem crippling smooth service delivery at the facility. 

"Doctors and other para medical staff are here and rearing to go but they lack the necessary tools of work to offer effective service to the sick people ", she lamented. 

Wavinya who was accompanied by her Deputy Francis Mwangangi said her administration will look into the challenges with a view to fixing them and quarantee quality health care to the residents. 

"Health care matters are close to my heart. We shall employ immediate,short and long term plans to address these challenges ",she affirmed. 

Governor Ndeti said she will endeavour to decongest the level 5 hospital by ensuring that the other health institutions across the county are staffed and equipped with medicine so that residents are served within reasonable distance.

She acknowledged the high standards of cleanliness at the facility but hoped this was not done because she was visiting. 

The Governor and her Deputy were set to have another meeting in her office at White House with senior officials from the hospital for further deliberations on the way forward in tackling the identified hiccups.

Governor Malombe takes Oath of Integrity

NEW Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe has committed to uphold good governance in the county.

Speaking moments after taking Oath of Integrity, Dr Malombe called on the people of Kitui to  join hands and tackle the issues affecting their lives head on as the county administration sets its priorities. They include the the revival of the economy and rekindling the hopes and aspirations of the residents. 

On the micro and small businesses, Governor Malombe said the county levies and fees will be waved for 6 months to allow them recover from the adverse effects occasioned by the COVID 19 and the 2022 post election economic slowdown.

Leaders who graced the ceremony include Former Vice President Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, National Treasury PS Dr  Julius Muia (CBS), Senator Enoch Wambua, County MP Dr Kasalu, MPs Dr. Makali Mulu, Stephen Mule, Dr. Rachael Nyamai, Hon. Charles Nguna Ngusya, Eng. Paul Nzengu Malili, Hon. Jessica Mbalu, Hon. Kimilu of Kaiti constituency, Senator Kasanga and Mr Andrew Sunkuli.

Stream of mysterious murders resolved as...

Girl, 15 owns up to

murder of three siblings 

The following is a verbatim police account of a matter that has left a family distraught.

 "The suspect one BRENDA WANJIRU KAGURU, a kikuyu female juvenile aged 15 years is the first born in a family of four. Her father is PETER KAGURU GICHUHI and her mother is CATHERINE WAMBUI NJUGUNA. She is currently a form one student at KAWETHEI GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL. 

The family hails from Gikambura area of Kikuyu Sub County within Kiambu County. Her other siblings now deceased were:- 1) LIAM GICHUHI aged one year, 3 months 2) VALERIA MUTHONI aged 5 years. 3) RACHEAL WANJIRU aged 7 ½ rears. 

All the above three children are now deceased having died under mysterious circumstances which made their parents to believe that the cause of their deaths might be natural however they all mysteriously died while under the care and presence of their elder sister BRENDA WANJIRU GICHUHI. 

The incidents occurred on diverse dates between the months of JULY 2021 and SEPTEMBER 2021. Briefly, on the 4th day of AUGUST 2022, BRENDA WANJIRU went to visit her grandmother at Gathiga in Kabete sub-county during the school mid-term holidays.

While there, an incident occurred on 16/08/2022 where by her cousin namely, MARTIN KIOGORA KARONGO aged 1 year, 8 months disappeared mysteriously while under her care within the compound of her grandmother. The mother to Martin Kiogora (MERCY GATWIRI) was in her shop which is just at the gate of the compound and when she noticed that she could not see her son, she asked BRENDA on the whereabouts of MARTIN KIOGORA but she confirmed that they were earlier together but she did not know where he had gone. 

They searched for him within and outside the compound but they could not find him. His father was informed over the matter and when he arrived home, they decided to open the water well which is in the compound and was securely locked and upon checking inside, they found the body of MARTIN KIOGORA which was removed and taken to KIHARA HOSPITAL MORTUARY.

BRENDA went back to her parents’ home in Waithaka on 18/8/2022 and her parents escorted her back to KAWETHEI GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL on 19/08/2022. 

Whilst in school on the 20th day of August 2022 at night, she borrowed a phone from one of the teachers and she called her parents where she informed them to tell KARONGO (her uncle and father to MARTIN KIAGORA) that she was the one who was responsible for the murder of Martin. Subsequently, her parents went to Kawethei Secondary school on 21/8/2022 and she confessed having murdered Martin Kiogora in front of teachers by drowning him in a water well and the teachers advised the parents to go home with her. 

While still at the school with her parents, and in the presence of the teachers she confessed to have killed all her other three siblings as follows:- On 14/7/2021, she murdered her brother by the name LIAM GICHUHI aged 1 year, 3 months by suffocating him with a pillow placed over his face for about 3-4 minutes until she confirmed that he was not breathing and she then covered him with a blanket.

On 7/08/2021, while at their home in Gikambura, she murdered her sister namely VALERIA MUTHONI aged 5 years by strangling her with a pillow placed on her face and later confirmed that her heart was not beating by feeling the pulse rate at the wrist. 

On 25/9/2022, while still at their home in Gikambura, she murdered her sister namely RACHEAL WANJIRU aged 7 ½ by strangling her on the neck using her hands for about 10 mins and drowned her in a basin containing some water in the bathroom before pouring hot water on her face.

Having confessed all this, they went back home on the same day 21/8/2022 and on 26/8/2022, her parents availed themselves to DCI Kikuyu Office where her confession statement was recorded.

 Her parents also recorded their statements and also the parents of Martin Kiogora were called and recorded their statements. Brenda WANJIRU also confessed that while committing the offence; she normally gets a strange feeling and becomes very much excited and very happy after the act.