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Did Siaya Governor spend Sh20m at Magufuli’s inauguration?


The chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee Nicholas Gumbo has accused Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga of using Sh20 million to attend the swearing in of Tanzania’s President John Magufuli.

The Rarieda MP questioned governor Rasanga’s two-day trip to attend Mr Magufuli’s inauguration on November 5.

He termed the move as irrational and a wastage of public resources, saying it was against the spirit of devolution.

“Governor Rasanga should come out clear and tell Siaya residents how he spent Sh20 million when he headed to Tanzania early this month for the swearing in of President Magufuli. I do not think that Magufuli is in any way related to Siaya County for the governor to spend public funds,” said Mr Gumbo.

Mr Gumbo made the remarks on Sun day in East Yimbo during the first anniversary since the death of Joyce Aluoch Ogola, the mother of Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda.

RAILA’S CLOSE FRIEND

President Magufuli is known to be a close friend of Cord leader Raila Odinga.

Mr Odinga attended the inauguration ceremony alongside other opposition politicians.

The ceremony was also attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta and other African Heads of State.

But deputy governor Wilson Ouma dismissed Mr Gumbo’s allegation, saying that it was a bad rumour aimed at tarnishing his boss’s name.

“Governor Rasanga used his own money to go to Tanzania and those spreading rumours should stop it,” Mr Ouma told the Nation.

Mr Gumbo vowed to continue pilling pressure on both the national and county governments to ensure that corruption is reduced in the country.

He was accompanied by Dr Ochanda and Kisumu deputy governor Ruth Odinga.

FIGHT GRAFT

“My committee has revealed that most public officers are using public funds like waste paper and are protecting themselves with their titles. We are devoted in fighting graft at the national and county levels,” said Mr Gumbo.

Similar sentiments were supported by Kisumu deputy governor Mrs Odinga who said that they will not relent in fighting against corruption in the counties.

She also faulted the MCAs for colluding with the governors in fleecing public funds.

“I consider MCAs as the real threats to devolution because of their constant praises to governors who are not delivering. This is making devolution a total sham. It is high time MCAs played their oversight role effectively for the sake of devolution,” said Mrs Odinga.