Taita Taveta MCAs demand probe over graft claims in county

A section of Taita Taveta MCAs has called for an investigation into alleged massive graft, frequent trips, and skewed appointments and promotions in the county.

The four MCAs, recently removed from the Budget and Public Accounts Committee, want both the executive and assembly investigated over alleged malpractices.

Former Deputy Speaker Chrispus Tondoo, Dorcus Mlughu (Rong’e), Halifa Taraya (Mboghonyi), and Azhar Din (Kaloleni) said that graft had affected service delivery.

"It is clear that Governor Andrew Mwadime is under siege by the overzealous MCAs. He cannot perform his mandate for fear of impeachment, said Tondoo.

He claimed the assembly has been arm-twisting the governor for selfish interests.

“We are ready to cooperate with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to stop pilferage of public resources.

"We are ready to give them relevant and crucial information to help them do their work and end the suffering of the people of Taita Taveta," said Tondoo on Wednesday in Voi.

Tondoo claimed that some MCAs were pursuing selfish interests at the expense of the electorate, which is suffering from abject poverty, joblessness and lack of development.

“The assembly has become a rogue and slaughterhouse for the critics of the assembly leadership. We have been profiled as rebels," he protested.

However, the county assembly leadership defended the county administration, labelling the allegations as propaganda, frivolous, and dishonest.

The county clerk, Gadiel Maghanga, claimed the protesting MCAs have also benefited from foreign trips and should be the last ones to cry foul.

“I know the MCAs are furious because they were removed from some committees. This did not go down well with them. Why didn’t they speak up while serving on those house committees?” asked the clerk.

The county secretary, Friday Mwafuga, said the executive was not under siege from the assembly as claimed in certain quarters.

“We do not take orders from the assembly to perform our executive duties, as the two arms of the county government have different roles,” he said.

During the Madaraka Day celebrations, Acting Assembly Speaker Anselim Mwadime expressed concerns about the negative portrayal of the assembly on social media.

He, however, said the House will continue playing its oversight and legislative roles well.

“There is a lot on social media, but this will not distract us from performing our oversight and legislative roles,” stated Mwadime.

As the war raged, Taraya accused the executive and assembly leadership of perpetrating tribalism and nepotism in county government appointments.

He claimed two workers at the assembly were  recently promoted without the positions being advertised for competitive hiring.