Ksh.121M for fuel, office accessories: Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali on the spot over graft claims

A section of Marsabit County leaders have amped up pressure on Governor Mohamud Ali to clear his name after he was implicated in an alleged graft scandal. 

Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute and Saku MP Dido Ali Rasso have in recent days accused the Governor of misappropriation of funds meant for county development projects.

Chute claims that the county, under Ali’s leadership, has spent a combined Ksh.121 million on on petrol acquisition for county vehicles and office accessories alone; Ksh.43 million for the former and Ksh.81 million for the latter.

The Senator also adds that the county chief's administration has splashed Ksh.640 million on relief supplies, Ksh.122 million on water tracking, and an additional Ksh.32 million on waste collection.

Despite this alleged extravagant spending spree, Saku says that Marsabit County has nothing to show for it.

The first time UDA Senator added that whenever he tries to point out anomalies in the county’s expenditure or call out Ali, the Governor's cronies label him a distractor and a liar.

“What is wrong if I do my oversight role to flag corruption at the doors of Marsabit County government?” Chute posed.

The businessman-cum-politician also alleged that at least 15 companies associated with top county officials have irregularly been awarded multi-million shilling tenders by Ali’s administration.

“It is quite a pity to see a huge list of companies owned by his close associates and his staff being awarded and paid a lot of money yet they have done nothing,” Chute lamented.

The Senator has since urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to move with haste and investigate the graft claims, a sentiment echoed by MP Rasso.

“People say I should not complain because I campaigned for the Governor, that’s true but it does not mean I should not positively criticize him. We are not going to take such graft allegations lightly,” said Rasso.

Governor Ali, in a rejoinder, however rubbished the graft claims labelling them as nonsensical and misleading, further threatening to sue Chute and Rasso for defamation.

“Some of these people making the loudest noise wished they supplied the county with various goods and services. Their bitterness is, I said no to corrupt dealings they wanted,” said Ali.

“I will not take lightly such unfounded allegations with the intention of tainting my image, reputation and demeaning my persona. I’ve already directed lawyers to dispatch letters for possible legal actions.”

He added that he has since tried reaching out to both Chute and Rasso for talks with no success, a claim dismissed by the Saku MP.

Following his response, Governor Ali re-organized his Executive with the changes affecting County Executive Committee Members and Chief Officers.

In the changes; Malich Boru Wario was replaced by Adan Guyo Kanano as CECM Finance and Economic Planning.

Wario was subsequently tasked with leading the department of Water, Environment and Natural Resources as CEC.

Chief Officers Anna Maria Denge and Samuela Lolokuru were likewise transferred from the Transport, Roads and Public Works department to the Culture, Gender and Social Services.