More than 200 Vihiga County government officials were paid Ksh60,000 each to attend a two-day event in Nairobi. Beneficiaries include the wife of Governor Moses Akaranga Mrs Elizabeth Akaranga, deputy governor Caleb Amaswache and the Trade, Tourism and Industrialisation executive Clara Indire, the Nation reports.
The list also has names of other county executives, chief officers and other senior county officials. Names of over 200 others have also been included. Consequently, traders in the region led by Mr Idd Sufuria have called for the sacking of Trade chief officer Tom Akolo. “This is blatant waste of funds,” said Mr Sufuria.
But Mr Akolo said the imprest list and the memorandum by traders was a witch-hunt by people who are against his work. “I do not handle imprests. This is aimed at blackmailing me. I will not succumb to anyone as God is my true witness,” he was quoted as saying.
Mr Akolo did not get the support of his boss, Trade minister Clara Indire, who seemed to agree with the traders. Ms Indire said she had informed Mr Akaranga about the alleged misdeeds. “I cannot say much because the traders memorandum has said it all,” she said.
Mr Akaranga has ordered an audit of the department. He also sacked the county trade director Morris Owiro for failing to submit some documents to his office in good time.
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