How Vihiga County lost Ksh30 million remains a mystery but Roy Smith Mwaita aka Rufftone, is in the eye of the storm, after it was discovered millions had been paid under his name.
Rufftone has dismissed allegations that he is part of the group that embezzled public funds, pointing out that someone may have forged his signature.
Vihiga County lost Ksh30 million in the 2014/2015 financial year and, according to the assembly report, Rufftone name features on the list of people who defrauded the government.
However, the ‘Mwikulu’ hit song singer said someone forged his signature to swindle cash. “I was called to perform, which I did. After being remunerated, I travelled back to Nairobi.
Another person forged my signature, and was given money from the imprest. I played my role and went my way; that which happened thereafter I am not aware,” Rufftone said on Citizen TV. Rufftone says he was hired by the county government to perform during a campaign to reach out to farmers.
The report disclosed that the celebrated gospel artist was paid Ksh180, 000 during a fertiliser distribution programme between 3rd and 7th March 2015. He received Ksh140,000 on March 3 this year, Ksh20,000 on March 6 and the balance on March 7. “Rufftone signed for a lot of money on foolscap for different amounts but the signatures are not the same. Someone may have forged his signatures to swindle the money in his name,” the report reads.
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Corruption in Vihiga county has been a challenge to governor Moses Akaranga. On April, 2015, Vihiga County residents invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate top government officials, whom they accuse of forging documents for tenders, employment and purchases. They also said employment was not based on merit but kickbacks.
Mr Akaranga is yet to issue a statement on the Ksh30 million fertiliser saga. The report has recommended the governor to suspend Halima Abdi, the agriculture executive member and her chief officer, Moses Andagalu, to pave way for investigations.
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