PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

25thJanuary2016

FROM: Office of the Deputy Governor, Machakos County - Bernard Kiala

This is to address two issues of concern to Machakos people namely :(1) Fidelity to the fight against corruption in the County
(2) Unrest related to local revenue collection and rates in the County
(1)Regarding Fidelity to the fight against corruption
Today I have responded to a summon by officers from the Ethics and Anti Corruption
Commission (EACC). I have given the officers ample time to interrogate me on several
malicious allegations about my conduct as an elected public servant. They now have an
improved version of my story regarding multiple attempts to frame me for corruption and I
shall grant them more time if they request again. I also reminded them that I have sought
interpretations on the Deputy Governors functions and role allocations from the
Commission of Implementation of the Constitution (CIC), the courts and the Senate. Those
matters are still pending with the requisite institutions and I believe my efforts to seek
clarity will bear fruit for other current and future Deputy Governors.
I continue using my position to educate our electorate about their enhanced roles in
devolution. I am also actively seeking to improve governance in the county despite
frustrations from the Governor that the public is now used to. As many may recall, my fight
for servant leadership in the county and zero tolerance to corruption got me on a collision
path with the Governor and the county assembly early 2014. This continues to be the case.
I nevertheless affirm my commitment and fidelity to the fight against corruption and bad
governance in the county. I remain steadfast to this cause to ensure that our citizens get
maximum value from devolved funds and the principles of devolution.
I continue to have discomfort confirming our Governors commitment zero tolerance to
corruption. Rather than cooperating with the justice system to fight corruption, the
Governor has rushed to frustrate investigation and judicial processes aimed at addressing
corruption allegations against him. Earlier in the year, his official petition demanding not be
investigated or charged in court until his term ends as a Governor was dismissed for being
frivolous, vexatious and speculative by lawyers representing the EACC and the office of the
Director Of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The two institutions are handling serious corruption
allegations against the Governor and evidence to charge him in court. Although we await
Justice Lenaolas ruling on the Governors frivolous constitutional petition scheduled for
February 5th, it is clear that the Governor is not open to expedited dispensation of justice
regarding serious accusations of corruption against him.
To get rid of corruption in Machakos County, we must start from the top.
The Governor
himself must allow expedited conclusion of ongoing legal processes to prove him innocent
or guilty of the serious corruption allegations against him. On my part I have granted the

EACC ample time to conclude investigations on where I am merely being framed so as to

divert attention from the Lords of Corruption in the County.
THE REAL LORDS OF POVERTY ARE THE LORDS OF CORRUPTION!
(2) Regarding Local Revenue Collection and Rates
Kenyan politics in the first five decades following independence was basically about
tokenism from the central and economic balkanization of citizens across the country. With
the 2010 constitution, we are on on course to rectifying the situation. This is by each of the
47 counties maximizing its efficiency in the use of their allocation which in the financial year
2015/16 adds up to 13.5% of the national budget.
Efficient use of the Machakos allocation is therefore of higher priority than increasing rates
for revenue collection from Machakos peoples local businesses. That there has been
rampant corruption and wasteful deployment of public funds since we were elected in 2013
is no longer contested by our County Government. We must embrace a zero tolerance to
corruption policy backed by actions and not mere public relations or deceitful politicking.
To the above extent, locals must be spared any increases in rates for local taxes and fees.
This should be part of a medium term policy to incentivise local businesses and economic
activity in our county. Furthermore, not only are we misappropriating what we collect
locally. Our revenue collection at the existing rates continues to have leaks. We continue
seeing telltale signs of people in charge of collections diverting them to private accounts.
The bottomless pit of local revenue collection is evident in our reports to the national Office
of the Controller of Budgets (OCOB). For instance, we reported that in the financial year
2014/15 we collected locally Ksh. 1.37 billion compared to our own target of Ksh. 3billion (a
mere 47% achievement). Until we can reasonably account for every penny our designated
collectors get from our local businesses we must not increase the rates for our local fees
and taxes. We must also account for every penny we are allocated by national Government
and Donors. This so far adds up to tens of billions of shillings with no commensurate signs of
developments on the ground.
Finally, to further reiterate my main point,
THE LORDS OF CORRUPTION ARE THE REAL
LORDS OF POVERTY.
Our independent watchdog institutions including the County
Assembly, EACC, DPP and the national judicial system must come to the aid of Machakos
People in eliminating these Lords of Corruption. With such assistance we shall expedite
eradication of poverty in our county and see economic, social and political prosperity.
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You can reach me on the above topics through my email bernardkiala@gmail.com, or on
twitter @BernardKiala
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