Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-28 01:58:31
The Busia County Matatu operators took to the streets on Tuesday, February 27, to protest against Senator Okiya Omtatah regarding the ongoing construction of stalls in the area. The protesters claimed that Omtatah had filed a case at the Busia law courts, which had put a halt to the construction of kiosks on spaces that were allegedly allocated to matatu operators in the area.
The construction of these kiosks was part of tenders that were procured illegally and were currently awaiting a hearing in a lawsuit filed by the Senator at the Busia Law courts. This legal action was aimed at addressing corruption within the county.
One of the matatu operators stated, “We, the bus and matatu operators, have been given priority to build kiosks in town.” However, Omtatah’s legal actions have hindered this process.
Omtatah, speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, refuted the claims made by the protesters, stating that they were funded to derail his case. He emphasized that his lawsuit was intended to expose corrupt individuals within the Busia County Government and bring transparency to the procurement process.
The Senator also highlighted the lack of transparency in the county, noting that tender documents and other important records were missing. He expressed frustration over the lack of response from county officials to his inquiries and letters, which hindered his ability to monitor and evaluate county functions effectively.
The protesters were specifically demonstrating against one of the projects mentioned in Omtatah’s lawsuit, which they believe was not properly procured. This project prevented non-residents from other counties from acquiring trading kiosks in the area, leading to accusations of ethnic cleansing as certain groups were being targeted.
Omtatah explained, “They are using the kiosks for ethnic cleansing. They are saying Busia is full of Kikuyus and Somalis, and they want to remove them, and they are just small traders.”
The situation in Busia County highlights the ongoing battle against corruption and lack of transparency in government operations. Omtatah’s efforts to hold officials accountable and shed light on questionable practices are crucial in ensuring good governance and fair treatment for all residents. The protests by the matatu operators serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public projects and investments.
Read the original article on Kenyans.co.ke
