Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has said the Sh1.18 billion Kilifi County graft scandal is a matter that needs to be given the importance it deserves.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV's Power Breakfast show, Omar said he was shocked that the scandal was not given enough media coverage, and called on his fellow Cord leaders to condemn theft of public funds, regardless of those implicated.
"I don't understand why this issue did not make it to the front pages of our local newspapers. If corruption is bad for Jubilee, it is bad for Cord. We want to see outrage from our colleagues from Cord," he said.
Omar also asked Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi to take responsibility for the loss of the public funds.
He further urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to act swiftly and ensure the perpetrators of corruption are prosecuted.
"We are putting Governor Kingi on the spot on this one. We are asking for mass resignation and we are asking the EACC to take charge of this issue so that people are prosecuted with immediate effect. I don't think corruption of this magnitude should be left upunished," he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale who said “I was shocked by the weight the media had accorded this grieve loss of public funds. Journalists should also help in the fight against corruption by exposing such corrupt deeds.”
Last week, Governor Kingi suspended 10 county officials following the fraudulent transfer of public funds from the county's kitty.