A lobby group in Homabay county is now calling for the intervention of President Uhuru Kenyatta as standoff between the executive, Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and lobby groups intensify.
The group, Bunge La Wenye Nchi, wants the President to dissolve the county government over claims of widespread corruption in the county led by Governor Cyprian Awiti and his Deputy Hamilton Orata.
The group also raised concerns over claims of disregard of laws and rules of operations, and nonperformance, and reached out to the Head of State in a petition dated December 12.
It has pegged its argument on an alleged loss of Sh130 million reportedly channeled towards a nonexistent cotton processing plant in Kendu Bay, Rachuonyo Sub-County.
“We have seen the runaway plunder of public resources in Homabay County led by public servants and politicians in blatant disregard of laws and regulations. We must stop this at all costs," said the group Chair Walter Opiyo.
But in response, the Governor's Office through Director of Communications Maurice Aluoch rubbished the petition.
Aluoch is of the opinion that the group is using the same to back another gubernatorial petition filed against Awiti's reelection.
“I can’t say much, but the group has an ill motive of tainting the name of the county so that our opponents can capitalise on it after the apex court ruling. They want to use fake information to crucify the government,” he told the Nation.
This comes at a time when a number of MCAs have also called upon the Governor to dissolve the house, over the ongoing standoff in the assembly.
The petition came hot on the heels of President Kenyatta's Nyanza tour that saw the Head of State visit Kisumu and Siaya counties.