A Nairobi court on Tuesday dismissed a case in which Governor Mike Sonko had been sued over the alleged loss of Sh1.7 billion through irregular procurement of health services for county staff.
Justice Hedwig Ong'udi ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case filed by Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok.
She noted that Imwatok should have followed the procedures laid down in the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.
Ong'udi stated that Imwatok ought to have presented his complaints to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
“This petition is pre-mature because it ought to have been filed in other forums,” she ruled.
[caption caption="Peter Imwatok"]
[/caption]
Imwatok was further directed to pay damages to Sonko and two other respondents.
He had sought to have Sonko, County Secretary Simon Morintant and suspended CEC Veska Kagongo declared unfit to hold public office.
In addition, he wanted the court to order an audit of the financial books of AAR Insurance Kenya and Bliss GVS Healthcare Limited for the financial years 2015/16, 2016/17, and 2017/18.
He alleged that the Public Procurement Oversight Authority irregularly authorised the release and payment of Sh1.7 billion from the county accounts to AAR.
Imwatok also wanted all funds paid to AAR with respect to the two extensions of July 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 and October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 returned to the county.
[caption caption="Governor Mike Sonko"]
[/caption]
