This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
Kenya: Rift Between Kuti, Isiolo MPs Widens After Reconciliation Meeting ¶
Published on June 17, 2020
Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti and four MPs from the county are at odds over the leasing of ICU beds, with the leaders trading accusations after a reconciliation meeting.
The meeting, convened by County Commissioner Herman Shambi, was attended by the MPs, the governor, MCAs, County Speaker Hussein Roba, and the security team. However, instead of resolving their differences, the leaders widened the rift.
The controversy surrounding the purchase of six ICU beds began after a lobby group shared pictures of a pickup being loaded with equipment outside a private hospital and the same vehicle entering the county referral hospital.
While the leaders had kept their differences under wraps in the wake of the coronavirus, the reconciliatory meeting instead brought their disagreements to the forefront.
At the meeting, the leaders resolved to work together for the common good of the people, particularly on development and security matters, dealing with the rampant drug menace and border issues.
However, the governor, in a statement, castigated the legislators for reportedly spreading rumours on the ICU beds leasing saga and for popularising the online post.
"If we must work together as leaders, we must be truthful but not spreading lies. We are ready for oversight to be done on us but popularising lies on national media and social media platforms will only bring more trouble," said Governor Kuti.
The MPs, however, distanced themselves from the governor's statement and told him off for attacking them in broad daylight during the address.
"He (Governor) talked contrary to what we agreed at the meeting. He instead used the platform to boast and accuse us which is not in order. Leadership is about reconciliation and working together," said Abdi Koropu, Isiolo South MP.
The legislators also accused the county assembly of sleeping on their job and failing to hold the executive accountable, with no quarterly expenditure report for the assembly and executive having been tabled before the House since the governor took office in 2017.
"It is unfortunate that the work being done by activists should have been done by the county assembly but the latter seems to be in deep slumber and is not keeping the executive on check," said Hassan Odha, Isiolo North MP.
