A day after Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama claimed he was unaware that his government was purchasing goods at inflated costs, a number of leaders now want him to take full responsibility.
The senate committee on Public Accounts had invited the governor to explain irregular use of 2.8M in purchasing of sugar, soft drinks and milk where a kilo of sugar was going at Sh300 per Kg while a packet of 300 ML of milk was going at Sh900.
Speaking on Thursday at Keroka when meeting Centre for Multiparty Democracy Chair Mr Omingo Magara, the leaders were unanimous that the county governor had failed to protect public resources.
“We are equally shocked that the Governor was not aware that his office was buying a kilo of sugar at Sh300, double the market price. This shows that he is unable to protect public resources and he owes the people of Nyamira an explanation,” said Mr Shadarack Mose.
Top Nairobi city lawyer Mr Alphaxard Mogikoyo blamed the governor of allegedly colluding with corrupt elements to defraud the public.
“It’s shocking that he isn’t aware what is happening around him. He is the chief executive and, therefore, I don’t buy the argument that he isn’t aware. This is the same people protecting impunity and shielding top officials from being sacked. Time has come for him to take responsibility,” he said.
Magara urged governors to ‘wakeup’ to duty and protect public resources that were allegedly being misused by county officials.
“It’s not only in Nyamira. These cases are rampant virtually in all counties and time has come for the governors to wake up and protect the public resources,” he said.