‘Sitishwi!’ Omtatah says after attack as he points accusing finger at Governor Otuoma

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has accused the devolved unit's Governor Paul Otuoma of orchestrating a Friday attack in which rowdy youth stoned his car as he made his way towards the County Assembly offices.

Addressing the press after the incident, Omtatah claimed Otuoma mobilised the goons in an attempt to intimidate him into withdrawing a law suit he had filed against the Governor in February.

Omtatah sued Otuoma for obstructing his oversight duties and withholding documents required for an audit of Busia County's finances,

"Nilipokuja hapa karibu na County Assembly nilikutana na kundi la vijana wakaanza kupiga gari yangu na mawe.  Wamenipura mawe kwa sababu wametumwa," said Omtatah.

"Kwa vile kesi ni kati yangu na gavana, sina wasiwasi ya kwamba ni gavana ambaye ametuma hawa vijana kunipiga mawe. Mimi sikumpura mawe wala kumtusi; nilienda kortini kusema ya kwamba nimekuandikia barua 12 unipe karatasi kadhaa na umekataa. Nikiangalia budget ya serikali, pesa imepotea Ksh.2.3 billion sijaona vile zimetumika."

The Senator likewise asserted that the only conceivable motive for Otuoma to threaten him was if the requested documents uncover significant discrepancies in the devolved unit's spending.

"Ni kama wanaogopa kitu fulani, wanajua kukataa kunipa hizo makaratasi ni kwamba kuna kitu wanaficha na sasa wanajaribu kunipatia vitisho niogope kukuja hapa," he said.

He further asserted that the planned display of force had not weakened his resolve, emphasising his mandate to protect taxpayers’ funds in Busia from misuse.  

"Kilichotendeka ni kinyume na sheria na haitanitisha. Nishaona makubwa kuliko haya, haitanitisha. Hawatanisimamisha; nilichaguliwa na watu wa Busia kuhakikisha kwamba pesa zao hazipotei na hazitapotea. Mwenye ameimeza ataitema na ulimi na meno," he said.

"Mimi ni mkaazi hapa, sioni vile mawe itanikazia kuingia Busia!"

"I was stoned by goons but I am okay... " Senator Okiya Omatatah narrates how he was attacked by goons. pic.twitter.com/W4YsRxny6c— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 23, 2024