Commission wants DPP to investigate five governors
Regina Mwatha, the acting chairperson of the Commission on Administrative Justice, with Kagwira Mbogori, the chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, in Nairobi on June27, 2017. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The county leaders are Peter Munya of Meru, Ali Hassan Joho of Mombasa, Paul Chepkwony of Kericho, Simon Kachapin of West Pokot and Julius Malombe of Kitui.
The Office of the Ombudsman says they used public resources in political activities.
The Commission on Administrative Justice wants the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko to investigate five governors and seven public officers for allegedly flouting electoral laws.
The CAJ, also known as the Office of Ombudsman, wants governors Peter Munya of Meru, Ali Hassan Joho of Mombasa, Paul Chepkwony of Kericho, Simon Kachapin of West Pokot and Julius Malombe of Kitui investigated and prosecuted for using public resources in political activities.
Acting CAJ Chairperson Regina Mwatha through a letter dated July 12, 2017 to Mr Tobiko also wants Commission General of Kenya Revenue Authority John Njiraini, PSs Karanja Kibicho (Internal Security) and Joseph Njoroge (Energy) investigated for directly taking part in political activities contrary to Public Officers Ethics Act.
Titus Ibui, the chairman of the Leather Development Council's board, has also been mentioned.
According to the letter, Mr Munya, Mr Joho, Prof Chepkwony and Mr Kachapin breached section 14 (2) of Election Offences Act by placing advertisement about their achievements on print media on various dates between June 2 and 30. Dr Malombe is accused of branding a vehicle belonging to the county government of Kitui with colours of the Wiper Democratic Movement - Kenya during his campaigns contrary to section 14 (1) of Election Offences Act that prohibits the use of public resources in political activities.
BEING AGENTS
Mr Njiraini, Mr Ibui and Mr Njoroge are accused of being agents of Jubilee Party through their membership of the Friends of Jubilee Foundation that supports the re-election of President Kenyatta.
The trio were among who-is-who in power circles who attended a fundraiser on June 9, where Sh1 billion is said to have been raised in a record two hours to support President Kenyatta’s re-election.
Mr Kibicho is accused of campaigning for Jubilee in Kirinyaga on June 10 and the same was reported in the media, according to the Ombudsman. Other public officers whom the ombudsman wants the DPP to investigate are Head of Presidential Delivery Unit Andrew Wakahiu, Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Anne Gakuria and the principal of Namangofulo Secondary School in Bungoma.
