Siaya Governor James Orengo has hit back at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Twalib Mbarak for issuing a warning of arrest.
In a statement, Orengo said that Twalib’s claims that there were irregularities under investigations in Siaya County was reckless, irresponsible, unjustified and legally inexcusable.
Further, he noted that there had been several arrests in the county over the years, but the commission failed to follow up with any prosecutions.
“The statement made by the CEO of EACC today in regard to the alleged on-going investigations touching on Siaya County, with an unfortunate and nuanced reference to the Governor, was reckless, irresponsible, unjustified and legally inexcusable.
“It was empty and contained nothing new, except outrageous hyperbole, falsehood and callous sadism. There have been arrests made in Siaya County as long as six (6) years ago. But no prosecutions,” the statement read in part.
However, the governor dared the EACC CEO to go ahead and investigate or arrest him.
“Complaints in regard thereto have been made many a time. But apropos the Governor, we say bring it on without delay,” added the governor.
Also Read: Ex-Uhuru CS Ukur Yattani Arrested in Morning Raid
EACC CEO Remarks on Orengo
Earlier on Thursday, April 25, Twalib Mbarak issued a warning to a lawyer cum governor who was defending former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani after he was arrested.
Mbarak stated that EACC was going after the said governor over cases of irregularities and graft adding that they were collecting enough evidence to arrest and charge him.
“Some are saying that it is political. That is the song of politicians, this is common noise that we are used to. There is a famous saying that if you are used to reach your destination, don’t get engaged with barking dogs.
“Yesterday the noise they made, one of the lawyers there is a governor, and his county we have even focused on, and it is on our red flag. So, you can tell that lawyer cum governor, we may end up at his place very soon,” said Twalib.
Additionally, he explained that Yatani was arrested because the commission had gathered sufficient evidence to put up a case against him. According to the CEO, Yatani had been under investigation since he was the governor of Marsabit County.
“We did not start investigating Wairia and Yatani yesterday, we started it long ago. Even when he was the CS treasury, we were investigating him for things he did when he was a governor.
“Now we have all the evidence that when we lock on them, they will have a case to answer. That is why we arrested them,” he explained.
Also Read: EACC CEO Left with Egg on His Face After Ogolla Condolence Blunder
The arrest and Raid of Yatani’s Home
On Wednesday, April 24, EACC officers raided the Nairobi and Marsabit homes of the former treasury CS and arrested him.
Yattani was taken into custody to EACC offices for questioning regarding his alleged involvement in the loss of billions. He was supposed to present himself at the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station early that morning.
He served as Marsabit governor before being appointed as Treasury CS by Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
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