Kidero threatens to sue Khalwale over Mumias woes

Politics and policy

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (left) has threatened to sue Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale (right) for linking him to the financial woes facing Mumias Sugar unless the legislator apologises in three days. PHOTOS | FILE |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

By KIARIE NJOROGE, gkiaire@ke.nationmedia.com

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has threatened to sue Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale for linking him to the financial woes facing Mumias Sugar unless the legislator apologises in next three days.

But in a quick rejoinder, the senator took to Twitter to welcome the court action saying that he is ready for it.

Mr Kidero demanded that the Mr Khalwale makes an apology in two national newspapers for comments made on Wednesday when President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the ailing sugar mill to offer a Sh1 billion bailout.

“Secondly, our client demands your immediate admission of liability in this matter, where after we may engage you in negotiations regarding award of damages by you to our client for the harm suffered by our client as a result of your defamatory words,” says a letter sent to Mr Khalwale by the governor’s lawyer Tom Ojienda.

In the letter, Mr Kidero quotes the Kakamega Senator saying that he should be pursued for alleged financial malpractices when he was Mumias Sugar chief executive.

“…Mumias did not just die. I want you, Mr President, as you consider bringing more money, you pursue the criminals who stole from Mumias, na prefect wao, mheshimiwa, prefect ya hawa criminals, is the Governor of Nairobi County, Dr Evans Kidero…” the senator is quoted as saying.

Mr Khalwale however in a series of tweets said that it was the responsibility of the governor to clear his name from an audit report by KPMG that implicated Mr Kidero in the company’s woes.

“Someone is cheating you. You must be dreaming to expect an apology haa! I serve the interests of Kakamega County,” he said on his Twitter account.

Mr Kenyatta on Wednesday gave Mumias Sh1 billion in a government bailout as he directed that those responsible for the company’s mismanagement be pursued.

“We will follow up on those who looted Mumias Sugar Company and ensure they return everything they stole, even if it means selling their houses to recover funds to benefit people of Kakamega,” he said.

READ: Uhuru calls for seizure of Mumias looters’ assets

He also gave a stern warning to the leadership of the factory saying that they will be fired if they fail to turn around the fortunes of the once vibrant miller.