Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) has demanded an immediate disbandment of the Kwale Public Service Board over the recent revelations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of massive graft.
According to EACC, five brothers all employees of Kwale county government were involved in embezzlement of over 48.9 million shillings confirmed to have been a a result of abuse of office, fraud, clannism, conflict of interest, procurement irregularities and theft of public funds, between 2018-2022.
EACC investigations have revealed that Kwale County Government procurement, finance, Public Service Board, roads and public works departments are marred with massive corruption.
“We are perturbed by the shameful, scandalous and immorality of the Kwale County Public Service Board by presiding over the recruitment and on-boarding of four brothers in various positions within the county government departments. That the same brothers and employees of the county government of Kwale would allegedly conduct fraudulent business with the county government is unethical and tantamount to conflict of interest.This warrants thorough investigation and prosecution,” said Huria Executive Director, Yusuf Lule.
Mr Lule urged the Anti- graft body not to back down in pursuing the graft dominated Kwale county government, and further appealed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to remain steadfast and professional to ensure that justice prevails to Kwale County residents.
Demands
“We demand an immediate resignation of all Kwale County Public Service Board members for out-rightly condoning nepotism and favouritism in its alleged recruitment of the said four brothers in the Kwale County government. The board’s action is a clear annulment of the spirit advocated under article 10 of the 2010 Constitution and article 59 of the County Government Act which requires the board to promote in the county public service the values and principles of transparency and accountability,” he further added.
Lule further urged Kwale County Assembly to initiate a process to disband the County Public Service Board.
Following the EACC investigation, more information of favouritism, nepotism, clannism and conflict of interest from the Kwale PSB have emerged. The activist is now calling for a multi-agency probe, which will involve the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the EACC to intensify and undertake further in-depth audit of county personnel and flag out other procurement irregularities as well as ascertain and investigate broader allegations of nepotism and ethnic favoritism in the County.
“We ask the Auditor General to undertake audit of all procurement processes within the Kwale county government and further confirm and ascertain on other serious breaches of laws and misuse of public funds. Should these demands be unattended to in the next 7 days, we will mobilise other civil societies and interested parties in the country to file a suit in court demanding for the disbandment of the board,” Lule further said.
Family affair
The fury came after Kwale County Head of Treasury and his 4 brothers working in the Kwale County government were arrested over KES 48 million graft.
EACC arrested Kwale County Head of Treasury Vincent Chirima Mbito and his 4 brothers working in various Departments in the county government, the graft case is in court.
The other suspects include Mongo Mbito Mongo who is the County Revenue Officer, Hassan Shilingi Mbito, Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Limited driver, Kwale County Procurement Officer, Mwaiwe Mongo Mbito and Chindoro Mongo Mbito, National Government, Ministry of Health (initially an Intern at Kwale County).
[Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) Executive Director Mr. Yusuf Lule. Photo/courtesy/HURIA/February, 29, 24].
The Mbitos are the Directors/owners of two companies namely Chilongola Holdings and Rome Investments (k) Limited, which they have been using to execute fraudulent deals with the Kwale County Government.
The Mbitos are linked to 10 contracts fraudulently awarded to the companies; Rome Investments and Chilongola Limited, which were paid exaggerated amounts Kes. 44,919,341 and Kes 4,007,943 respectively. The total amount was distributed to the suspects according to EACC.
The tenders, which they obtained in violation of procurement laws using forged documents, were for the supply and delivery of sanitation materials, food and ration, general office supplies, and institutional appliances.
