Gumbo accuses Siaya Governor Rasanga of using Sh20m to attend Magufuli fete

Public Accounts Committee chairman Nicholas Gumbo has accused Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga of using Sh20 million to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Tanzania President John Magufuli.

The Rarieda MP questioned governor Rasanga’s two-day trip to attend Mr Magufuli’s inauguration on November 5, 2015.

He called the move irrational and a waste 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 was speaking Sunday in East Yimbo during the first anniversary of the death of Ms Joyce Aluoch Ogola, the mother of Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda.

Mr Magufuli is known to be a close friend of Cord leader Raila Odinga, who attended his swearing-in ceremony alongside other opposition politicians.

The ceremony was also attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta as well as other African heads of state.

DISMISSED ALLEGATIONS

However, Deputy Governor Wilson Ouma dismissed Mr Gumbo’s allegation, saying 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.

During the anniversary, Mr Gumbo vowed to continue piling pressure on both the national and county governments to ensure that the levels of corruption being witnessed in the country are reduced.

He was accompanied by Dr Ochanda and Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga.

“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 to fighting graft at the national and county levels,” said Mr Gumbo.

Ms Odinga supported him, saying they would not relent in fighting against corruption in counties.

She also faulted members of county assembliers (MCAs), saying they were colluding with governors in misusing public funds.

“I consider MCAs as the real threat to devolution because of their constant praises (for) governors who are not delivering and 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.

In August, Ms Odinga caused a stir when she refused to attend a bonding retreat in Nairobi meant for MCAs and the executive, saying it was a waste of public funds.