Nairobi, KENYA: Members of Parliament have blasted the Council of Governors for what they termed as shielding alleged corrupt counterparts and their demand that governors be given immunity.
In a media briefing at parliamentary buildings separately, Ugunja Mp Opiyo Wandayi who is also chair of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee and Meru Senator Mithika Liunturi who is also vice chair of Senate Accounts and Public Investment Committee condemned the COG chair Josephat Nanok over remarks he made that the national government is on a witch-hunt and political mission on governors over corruption matters.
Last week, Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong was taken to court after his arrest at Integrity Center in Nairobi for alleged corruption.
Wandayi said that it is incorrect for Nanok to assert that the government has directed its energy to County governments as compared to the National government insisting that county chiefs must be accountable on how they spend public funds.
He insisted that the Council of Governors should leave government agencies to tackle corruption in the National and County governments without interference and the council should stop shielding corrupt tendencies in the county.
“We cannot turn the Council of Governors into some kind of refugee for governors and other county government officers to run to when the law is catching up with them let the due process take its course .”He said.
He downplayed Nanok allegations that there is a move to fast-track auditing of county governments as compared to audited accounts of the national government indicating that accounts of the county and national accounts are examined concurrently especially the accounts of 2014/2015.
He urged the governors to execute the mandate given by the citizens indicating that people in the grassroots are vulnerable thus depending on the governors to solve their plight.
On the other hand, Linturi blasted the governors call to be given immunity from prosecution whenever they are in office indicating that they must face the law.
Wandayi also added that parliamentarians will be in the fore front to shoot down any bill or motion seeking immunity for the governors warning that the council is setting a precarious predence on governance matters.
