On Tuesday, a photo of Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o launching new fire engines left netizens angry after it was discovered they were branded with Meru details.
To shed light on the issue, the donor Fredrick Kiogora Atandi, who handed over the engines sought to explain how the engines found their way to Kisumu.
Atandi who works for Hertfordshire fire service explained that Meru was the center of logistics and the point of distribution once the fire engines arrive in the country from the UK where they are sourced.
[caption caption="fire engine handed to Kisumu county"]
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“The mishap occurred as Meru is the central logistic point for our distribution of fire engines and the branding was done by a United King company,” he mentioned.
“We indicate on the shipment paperwork that the machines are destined for Meru though once in the country, each county is in charge of paying the duty and customs for their respective vehicle,” he continued.
He was speaking during the handover of two fire engines to the Meru County Assembly.
He noted that Meru was their chosen logistic center owing to his long-standing relationship with Governor Kiraitu Murungi which started in 2007 after the donation of a fire engine to Nkubu Township.
According to Atandi, only counties which commit to hiring six personnel for each fire engine are included in the project.
Atandi who also oversaw the handing over of one fire engine to Tharaka Nithi alleged that some counties refused to join the project after they learnt the engines were for donation and there would be no monitory kickback for them.
Meru Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu refuted claims that the Meru fire engines were sent to Kisumu for a dummy ceremony citing that they are firm in safeguarding the public interest.
“We in Meru don’t entertain such games. We are led by a responsible governor who is in charge of a responsible team,” he noted.
[caption caption="file photo"]
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