“Sharing a light moment with the Machakos First Lady Lillian during the launch of the Machakos County Comprehensive Health Care Program at the Machakos Stadium,” he posted on Facebook. The picture posted yesterday was taken when Mutua flagged off 70 new ambulances for his county.
Within the first one hour of the posting, more than 700 people had liked the picture while more than 170 people had commented.
Some commended Mutua having a “beautiful wife” but others posted photos of a lady called Josephine declaring that this was the “First Lady” they knew.
Someone posted a link to a story in the Standard Newspaper in November last year. The story about governors and their wives said Mutua’s wife is called Josephine Thitu Mutua, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, a master’s degree in Public health and a Doctorate in Pharmacy. “Together with Dr Mutua they have three children: twins aged four and the eldest child aged seven,” the Standard wrote. On Facebook Bwire Ojiambo said Machakos is ahead “from development to first lady.”
Christine Mwiti and Jane Gichuhi wondered whether he had changed wives and ‘Surprised Sarah’ wondered “what happened to Josephine Thitu Mutua.”
“We were high in anticipation and speculation!!!!! Pretty First Lady. Pretty stuff you are doing in Machakos,” said Sammy Kitula.
This week Mutua has also come under fire from the Auditor General who handed over a report to senators querying Sh35 million of expenditure between January to June 2013.
The AG has given audit reports on all 47 counties to the senators. It is not clear whether this is straightforward accountability or part of a bigger plan by central government to claw back control over county finances.
The Machakos report is the first to surface in the Senate. It raises questions over unaccounted for imprests, improper surrender of imprests, confidential expenditure, irregular procurements, and payment vouchers that are not properly supported.
Yesterday, Mutua denied the allegations saying he is adhering strictly to procurement guidelines. “I have worked hard and I am making a difference in this county. I don’t have time to engage in fishy deals,” the governor said amid cheers from the crowd at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos town.
“All the money we have is for the people and not for corrupt elements and we make sure every shilling gives us value. Some people have wondered, does Machakos have more money than other Counties. We are doing this because we are spending all money for the people and not for corrupt networks,” he said.
“I personally answered all their audit queries but it is not indicated in the report,” county secretary Francis Mwaka told the Star yesterday.
Among the alleged irregular procurements are kitchen curtains for the Governor’s office cost Sh1.6 million and parking canopy Sh1.4 million, both from Miramax International.
The lawn outside the office was renovated for Sh492,000 with flowers from Brookly Nursery costing Sh394,000. Unknown “customized items” from Hophill Creations Nairobi cost Sh1.3 million along with door plates, flags and flag stands costing Sh898,000.
“It is not clear how the supplier was identified in the absence of relevant procurement records/details,” states the auditor.
However Dr Mutua himself surrendered a Sh400,000 imprest for allowances on a trip to Dubai and his Chief of Staff Mwengi Mutuse surrendered Sh258,000.
The AG’s report lists other cases where quotations and tender committee meetings were missing, expenditure overshot budget and products single sourced.
Among the single sourced items was the Sh36 million purchase of 15 cars and the Sh10 million hire of Maanzoni Lodge for the inaugural investor conference.
Among illegal payments, 40 County MCAs were paid Sh10,000 per day for ten days for an induction course that lasted 7 days.
- the-star.co.ke
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