Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has not been arrested contrary to a fake news alert which trended on social media. The governor’s press secretary, Mutinda Mwanzia said his boss was attending a requiem service of the late Sammy Mbova at St Austins Church in Nairobi when the fake alert circulated.
Machakos county governor Alfred Mutua has been nabbed by eacc detectives. This is relation to misuse of public funds through buying of vehicles illegally!
— Lieutenant Wadi (@Lieutenant_Wadi) August 9, 2018
The deceased was an advisor to Mutua on matters of governance. The alert insinuated that Mutua had been arrested by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over corruption allegations.
“We have noted with concern the fake alert whose aim was to tarnish the image of Governor Mutua. Relevant authorities must crack down on the perpetrators of such vile lies,” he said in a statement.
BREAKING NEWS!
Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua Nganga AKA Kavaluku has been arrested by EACC detectives over graft claims of purchase of county vehicles.He has been arrested on his way from Milele FM where he was hosted by Jalango and Alex Mwakideu in the morning— Kenyan Parrot?? (@TheParrotKE) August 9, 2018
“Machakos County governor, Alfred Mutua has been arrested by EACC over graft claims of purchase of county vehicles…he joins Evans Kidero who was arrested yesterday,” read one of the alerts disowned by Capital FM as fake news. But in a swift rejoinder, Capital FM denied the alert had originated from them. “We have issued no such alert and that story is not on any of our platforms. Kindly stop attributing this false news to us,” the media house said in a tweet.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua will now face abuse of office charges over irregular procurement of 16 vehicles – his official car and 15 others for the county – after the High Court dismissed his petition to block prosecution. https://t.co/1nJ8SKfeN6
— The Muthoka® (@MuthokaTito) August 9, 2018
Evans Kidero
The alert caused anxiety, with members of the public making inquiries.
It came amid a toughened war by the DPP on corruption and other crimes, a move that has seen politicians and county officials arrested on allegations including abuse of office and disregard for procurement laws.
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero was arrested on Wednesday evening over corruption allegations. The ODPP said Kidero was arrested following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
DPP Noordin Haji noted he was satisfied by the investigations after reviewing the file and documentary exhibits against former City Hall officers.
But still Kenyans have continued to peddle the news of Mutua’s arrest even after the communication from his office.
I’m reliably informed that Alfred Mutua file is at DPP and is almost ready, he will certainly be arrested and charged soon. #ArrestAlfredMutua pic.twitter.com/sCt8azAv3L
— Kelvin Mutwiwa (@kelvino_mutwiwa) August 9, 2018
Mutua, a Public Relations expert is believed to be one of the most corrupt leaders in Kenya. Machakos residents complain that their governor has not done anything for them but he continues to paint his image in the media as a person who is overworking.
A section of Kenyans believe that it is only a matter of time before Mutua appears in court to answer charges relating to misuse of public funds.