Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Monday failed to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee where he was supposed to answer questions related to his predecessor Evans Kidero’s looting of public resources.
The governor failed to honour summons and is now being fined Sh500,000 as is outlined in the Powers and Privileges Act.
“Where a witness summoned doe not appear, or appears but fails to satisfy the relevant House of Parliament or committee, the relevant House or Committee may impose upon the witness such fine, not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings, having regard to the witness’ condition in life and all the circumstances of the case,” Section 19(1) of the Act reads.
The Act also stipulates that the House or its committee may order for his arrest for ignoring the summons.
The committee has however order Sonko to appear on December 3.
The governor has repeatedly accused Kidero of crippling the city’s economy with most recently blaming him for the loss of monies meant for the upgrade of both Pumwani and Mama Lucy hospitals.
“The same year Treasury released Sh212 million as part of the health budget allocation. The money was wired to Nairobi city county COOP BANK A/C NO. 01141232396601. Out of this amount Sh103 million was to cater for the completion of the stalled 74 bed multi storeyed block at mama Lucy hospital while Sh109 was for commencement of Pumwani maternity hospital upgrade.
The Sh109 million for Pumwani maternity hospital upgrade was transferred from Nairobi City County Coop Bank A/C NO. 01141232396601 to Gurumani Traders Ltd (Directors George Wainaina Njogu and his brother John Njogu) Coop Bank A/C NO. 01148230208500. From here the money was later transferred to Sagar Builders Ltd A/C. No. 95860400000034 Bank of Baroda. As per the records at the County’s planning office Sagar builders are the contractors who built Gem Suites Apartments at Riverside owned by my predecessor,” Sonko said on Facebook.
He also added that a further Sh58 million was transferred to Kidero’s personal account in family bank, through slain city lawyer Steven Kariuki’s account.
The deceased, Sonko explained, was killed after the deal went sour. His death, he said, was well thought out by Makongeni MCA.
According to Sonko, the lawyer felt threatened and was forced to transfer the money to CUPS LTD who allegedly withdrew and paid the MCA in cash and deposited the balance to Kidero’s account.
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