Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has apologised to Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti after he claimed that Ksh962 million was spent on legal fees.
However, Ndeti on Sunday, July 28, 2024, issued a statement countering the remarks by Onyonka, which she said had triggered panic among a section of residents of Machakos county who had elected her on the platform of honesty, transparency and accountability.
In a quick turn of events, Onyonka wrote a formal apology letter to Ndeti, noting that his statement was misinterpreted.
“On July 24, 2024, during an interview on Classic FM discussing the State of the Nation, I commented on the payment of 962 million in legal fees by Machakos County, as highlighted in the Auditor General’s report,” Onyonka’s statement read in part.
He added: “These fees accrued from the year 2013 to 2022 under the tenure of Hon. Dr. Alfred Mutua as Governor. I acknowledge the concerns raised by Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, current Governor of Machakos County, regarding my remarks, which have led to media criticism directed at her.”
Onyonka apologises
The vocal senator noted that he was taking back his words after the possible backlash that his statement may have caused to the residents of Machakos County.
“I sincerely apologize to Governor Wavinya Ndeti and clarify that my comments were strictly in reference to the Auditor General’s findings of the said years and not aimed at her personally. It was never my intention to cast aspersions on the governor’s reputation. My statements were misinterpreted,” Onyonka noted.
Wavinya Ndeti claps back
Ndeti in a statement on July 28, 2024, responded noting that utterances were irresponsible.
“My attention has been drawn to a malicious circulation of a video clip where a Senator, being hosted in a popular morning radio broadcast show, alleges inflation of legal fees by the County Government of Machakos amounting to Ksh962 million,” Ndeti’s statement read.
Adding: “For the benefit of the public who may still be unaware of the sustained ulterior motive of my political detractors who cling on every available opportunity to spread desperate and malicious falsehoods about me and my government.”
The governor explained that the period under which the auditor general flagged the payments was when the former Tourism cabinet secretary Alfred Mutua was governor of Machakos County.