Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has distanced himself from Members of County Assembly (MCAs) who were on Monday arrested by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives over bribery allegations.
Joho said the law should be allowed to take its course following a case in which six members of the Mombasa County health committee were grilled by EACC officials shortly after a tour to the Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Kikambala, following concerns of contaminated water at the company.
It’s alleged that the MCA’s were in the process of receiving a Sh1 million bribe, in a bid to clear the company.
Mombasa County Director of Communications Richard Chacha said Joho was not involved in the bribery allegations in any way, adding that he has never interfered with the MCAs work at any point.
Led by the committee’s Chairman Kibwana Swaleh, the The MCA’s denied the claims levied against them by the graft body, saying it was a ploy to mudsling Joho’s administration.
“Whoever gave EACC information wanted to soil our names and that of the governor. Mombasa has always been put on the spotlight and in bad light. They want to show our electorate that we, including the governor, do not deserve to be re-elected in the 2017 general election,” he said.
Speaking to Nation, Mr Chacha said that Joho does not interfere with the county assembly.
“The assembly is an independent body. They are not directed by the governor. It has not come to his attention. He read all these from the media. The law is being followed,” he said.