Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has come out to defend himself after former Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando Wa Kabando said he no longer had faith in him.

Is there a story unfolding in your community? Let Hivisasa know

In a tweet on Sunday, Kabando said he was giving up on Mutua following a story in the Daily Nation, claiming the Office of Auditor-General had discovered financial rot in Machakos and Kitui counties.

The vocal politician said if the report was true, he was no longer proud of Mutua and his Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu, whom he disclosed was his preferred candidate in the 1997 presidential election.

He said among all the 47 governors, he will only be proud of Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and his Makueni counterpart Prof Kivutha Kibwana.

"I’ve praised the leader I voted for President 1997 Ngilu and I’ve lauded efforts by my friend Alfred Mutua. If this is true, then I am left with Oparanya and Kibwana to celebrate. Rarely is Office of Auditor-General wrong, yet benefits of doubt..." Kabando tweeted.

In a rejoinder, Mutua said the story had a 'misleading' headline, noting the audited financial statements did not reveal any loss of funds in Machakos County.

"My friend Kabando, have you read the story? It is about national government projects in Machakos plus issues of documentation and verification. No money stolen or lost anywhere. The headline is misleading and sensational," the county boss tweeted on Monday.

According to the story, Machakos was put on the spot by the Auditor-General for failing to provide ownership documents for 14 units of tractors for verification.

The tractors were among 40 units that the county government procured to assist farmers to plough their farms during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 financial years.