Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichillo was on Thursday caught up in a scandal involving a Ksh1 Million fund meant for funerals.
Angry residents took to social media sharing a document leaked from his office that had sought the liquidation of the fund that is said to have been gathered from donations.
The residents suspected that the governor had been holding the money in cash at his office when it was meant to meet burial expenses and medical bills.
The leaked letter dated April 16 was signed by the governor's personal assistant Chris Amwayi, requesting the department of public service to disburse the fund.
[caption caption="Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo during a past public address"]
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The residents accused Governor Ottichilo of impropriety, coming soon after five of his officials were fired on Tuesday over Ksh18 Million suspected corruption.
The Vihiga county assembly passed a motion to lay off the Finance Executive Alfred Indeche, Gender, Youths, Sports and Culture Executive Marita Agufana, and their respective chief officers as they await investigations.
The cabinet members and their chiefs allegedly transferred the millions from the public accounts to a privately held account raising suspicions of embezzling.
Governor Ottichilo has defended himself against the corruption accusations stating that his actions are perfectly justifiable.
Ottichilo refuted that the money was being held in cash at his office and explained that donations to the kitty were necessary given that the county has a 62% prevalence of poverty.
He further emphasised that the kitty would go to the poor in the county as intended, dismissing any accusations of corruption within his administration.
[caption caption="KEMSA CEO Philip Omondi (far left), Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo (C) and his Deputy Governor Dr Patrick Saisi looking at the samples of the drugs supplied by the firm"]
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