BIG NAMES ‘to be left’ out of August polls after ‘failing’ integrity test

Hundreds of contestants eyeing various elective seats in the August 8 General Election risk being locked out over integrity issues raised against them.

In a confidential document by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) vetting committee and dated May 31, 2017, the anti-graft body wants the electoral commission to take action on contestants found culpable as well as those facing integrity queries.

According to document that contains 87 names of contestants eyeing gubernatorial, senatorial, parliamentary and Member of County Assembly positions, most candidates are facing various charges including misappropriation of public funds, economic-related crimes, forgery of academic papers, corruption and abuse of office charges among others.

Already, EACC has barred Mombasa gubernatorial hopeful on a United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate, Chitavi Anthony Mkala, from contesting in the August 8 polls after he was found culpable of flouting procurement procedures in the award of Medical Insurance cover for Mombasa Water and Sewerage Company in the 2007/2008 Financial Year.

Mr. Mkala was charged and convicted on December 15, 2011 for the offence and sentenced to three years in jail or pay a fine of Ksh 800,000. He paid the fine and never filed any appeal.

Governors Adan Nathif Jama (Garissa), Godana Doyo (Isiolo), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Mwangi Wa Iria (Murang’a), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Evan Kidero (Nairobi), Daniel Waithaka (Nyandarua), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Okoth Obado (Migori) and Peter Munya (Meru) are the incumbent governors who are facing integrity queries.

Garrisa’s Nathif Jama is accused of abuse of office and wilful failure to comply with procurement procedures in leasing of ambulances from Emergency-Plus (E-Plus) Medical services, a subsidiary of Redcross Kenya, at a cost of Ksh 70 million. Investigations by EACC established that the candidate was culpable and was charged in court although the case is still ongoing.

Machakos’ Alfred Mutua is accused of abuse of office in the purchase of second-hand Subaru vehicles valued at Ksh 47 million for the county executives and was found culpable. He has, however, not taken plea due to a court injunction.

Governor Mwangi Wa Iria of Murang’a is accused of obstructing EACC investigators and destruction of evidence when executing a search warrant. The Governor was found culpable but has not taken plea due to a stay order issued by Murang’a High Court.

Wa Iria is, however, facing another case where he is accused of misappropriating Ksh 140 million county funds to advertise and campaign for himself in print and mass media. EACC investigations established that Wa Iria as the Governor of Murang’a County occasioned loss of public funds.

Busia Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong, is facing an uphill task to clear his name with the EACC document accusing him of influencing the award of a tender to install solar mass lights in Busia Town at a cost of Ksh 91,266,290 and in collusion with the supplier he received a benefit of Ksh 47 million for the county.

He is also facing allegations of using proceeds of corruption to acquire properties at a total cost of approximately Ksh 220 million. Mr Ojaamong is also accused of executing an irregular MOU on solid waste disposal that occasioned the loss of public funds amounting to to Ksh 8 million.

Governor Evans Kidero, according to the EACC report, was found culpable in allegations of abuse of office, money laundering, bribery, conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public funds valued at Ksh 193 million.

The Nairobi City County boss is also accused of dealing in suspected funds to the tune of Ksh 700 million.

Nyandarua’s Waithaka was also found culpable for allegedly single-sourcing and entering into a contract with a private company for the development of a County Water Masterpal and review of Ol Kalou Town sewerage system design occasioning loss of public funds amounting to the tune of Ksh 54 million.

Gubernatorial aspirants Thuo Mathenge (Nyeri) and Samboja Granton Graham (Taita Taveta) also risk being barred from contesting in the August over allegations of faking their academic certificates.

Mr Mathenge is accused of holding a questionable degree certificate while Mr Samboja faces allegations of falsifying a certificate, diploma certificate, degree certificate, and KCSE results slip.

Mr Samboja is said to have presented forged certificates for enrolment for a Masters programme in Kenyatta University.