Lawmakers fault Matiang’i for no-show in West Pokot
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i came under fire yesterday after he failed to reach West Pokot county that has been hit by landslides.
The CS cancelled his tour citing bad weather conditions despite having a military chopper at his disposal.
In contrast, Deputy President William Ruto braved the bad weather and visited the site on a chartered chopper.
Ruto was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
Earlier, Matiang’i who was accompanied by his Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and Rift Valley regional commissioner George Natembeya in a military chopper, said they were forced to abort their trip after getting an advisory from their security teams that the area was not safe for them hence being forced to land back in Eldoret.
“We have been planning to go West Pokot since Saturday but because of the heavy rains it has been difficult for us because of visibility,” said Matiang’i, adding heavy rains made it difficult for the pilots to maneuver ahead.
“We are disappointed that we didn’t achieve our mission today but we are going to try again tomorrow until we succeed,” he said.
But Matiang’i’s failure to visit the flood-hit region elicited sharp reactions from two area legislators, who accused the CS and his team of negligence.
Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen claimed via twitter that Matiang’i and his team ran away to prepare for the BBI.
Pokot South MP David Pkosing criticised Matiang’i over what he described as a “lame excuse for a no-show in the area hit by the catastrophe”.
However, Wamalwa dismissed the negligence claims, saying government has enough resources on the ground to help the affected families. He ordered all those in flood-prone areas such as Murang’a, Tana River and Kwale to move to safer grounds. The landslide claimed over 42 lives.
