Power struggles in Kilifi County have reached a boiling point as tensions rise over Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s decision to centralize financial services.
This move has angered several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) who are now accusing the Governor of colluding with notorious businessman and cartel leader, Alinoor Mohammed Ali, to steal from the county.
The MCAs, who are from Kilifi South, Ganze, and Malindi Sub-Counties, claim that Alinoor and Matano are the ones advising the Governor on how they can source and milk the county resources.
The MCAs have also raised concerns over the Governor’s decision to replace qualified and licensed finance and accounting practitioners, CPA Samuel Kombe CECM finance and CPA Ben Kai Chilumo chief officer Finance, with individuals like Yahya Shoshi Ahmed and Winnie Wakati.
The MCAs are questioning the Governor’s decision to appoint an officer who is not a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and does not possess a license to practice as a financial manager.
“Is this a scheme to either have Alinoor employed after Winnie Wakati, the current Chief Officer-Finance, gets fired or transferred to another department?” they question.
Furthermore, the MCAs are linking the Governor to a planned move to oust the current speaker, Teddy Mwambire, in favor of Kayafungo Ward MCA, Agnes Sidi.
They believe that the whole scheme is orchestrated with the sole purpose of stealing public resources in a disguised professional but mischievous manner.
The MCAs are planning to demonstrate against the Governor and are even threatening to visit Senator Madzayo to raise the matter in the Senate.
They have vowed to block any move to appoint Agnes Sidi as speaker, as they believe it would only serve to protect the interests of the Governor and Alinoor.
Adding to the drama, the Garreh Council of Elders were reportedly advised by Somalis residing outside Mandera to be wary of Alinoor Mohammed Ali, who previously served in the finance department in Mandera County.
They claim that Alinoor enjoys massive support within the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) with the current regional Deputy Director in-charge of Upper coast region heavily mentioned.
The MCAs have also raised questions about Martin Mwaro who is currently a chief officer in the executive office of the Governor and Acting County Secretary Kilifi, and the CECM Finance Yahya Shoshi Ahmed who was Mung’aro’s CDF manager, and if they have any role in this scheme.
The situation is rapidly deteriorating and MCAs are calling for an independent investigation to be carried out to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice before things spiral out of control.
