HEADS ROLLING: Migori county assembly

By MN Reporter

Members of Migori County Assembly want two senior officials of the house to step aside over graft allegations.

The MCA’s want assembly Clerk Tom Opere and Finance Officer Evance Ogutu to step aside for questioning over missing shs. 100 million from the assembly.

Makerero MCA Joseph Hoyo and a member of Budget Committee Wednesday said 23 out of the 56 MCA’s had signed a petition to have the two step aside.

According to Hoyo, Opere and Ogutu have failed to explain to the house how the missing money was spent.

“We want the two step aside to enable investigations, already 23 members have signed by today we will add more members,” Hoyo said.

In his defence, Opere said the issue raised by the MCA’s had been politicized and asked why it was coming at a time when Migori Governor Okoth Obado had been arrested.

The clerk also pointed out that the ‘agenda’ was being pushed by select member from Kuria, Awendo and Nyatike sub-counties.

“I can account for each single cent, they are talking about things which happened in last financial year,” Opere said.

He added that during 2016/2017 financial year the Migori County Assembly took loans to cover it salaries netting to shs. 35 million while the government is yet to remit funds to counties since July.

Ogutu on the other hand said he  was not aware of move by the MCA’s adding that the  County Assembly Public Service board which employed him has not told him.

 “I am not aware and no member has approach me over the issue. This is a political environment and there is tension in county. Sh100 million is a huge number which can’t just be lost,” Ogutu said.

Majority leader and Oruba Ragana MCA Mallan Ogega denied knowing the move to impeach the two as he had been away in Nairobi.

He said members will follow due process when they have evidence over the claims.