Londiani victims’ cash: Kericho MCAs recommend sacking of six county officials

An Ad-hoc committee formed by the Kericho County Assembly to investigate allegations of misappropriation of monies meant for Londiani crash victims has finally tabled its report.

The committee that is made up of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) - in accordance with its findings- has recommended to Governor Dr. Eric Mutai the removal from office of at least six senior county officials for various offences.

First up on the chopping block is County Secretary Dr. Wesly Bor, whom it accuses of forgery of minutes, abuse of office, as well as the approval of withdrawal of funds contrary to the provisions of Section 138 of the Public Finance Management Act.

Health Services County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Brenda Bii was not spared either, as she is also accused of abuse of office and non-disclosure of information and accountability.

The MCAs also want her Finance and Economic Planning counterpart, Leonard Ngetich, removed for similar offences, as well as unlawful approval of withdrawal of funds.

Alphonce Rotich, the Cpunty Chief Officer in the Executive Office of the Governor, is alleged to have committed forgery, abuse of office, and violation of procurement rules and procedure.

The committee, in addition, seeks the firing of Gilbert Bii, who is the Finance Chief Officer and holds a similar role in acting capacity in the Economic Planning docket.

It accuses Mr. Bii of what it terms as “misappropriation of fundraiser funds, abuse of office, professional negligence, and violation of procurement laws.”

Another double office holder, Betsy Chebet, is also wanted out by the MCAs for non-disclosure of information, perjury, misuse of fundraiser funds, and abuse of office.

Ms. Chebet is the Chief Officer for Lands, Housing, and Physical Planning, in addition to being the Acting Chief Officer for Public Service Management.

A probe into the funds was occasioned after Kericho Deputy Governor Fred Kirui claimed that Ksh.13.6 million collected during the fundraising for Londiani Crash victims had been misappropriated.

Governor Dr. Eric Mutai then, however, insisted that the embezzlement claims were unfounded as the process of paying the money to the families of those affected was still underway.

Besides the nine-member Ad-hoc committee formed by the Kericho County Assembly to probe the allegations, Governor Mutai had also formed his own committee to do the same.