Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and Malindi MP Amina Munyazi are currently facing serious allegations concerning threats directed at officials of the Concerned Citizens lobby group, which has been actively revealing corruption and mismanagement within the county and the Malindi Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
This situation has sparked widespread outrage among local residents, who are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of accountability among their leaders.
The Concerned Citizens lobby group has made headlines for its persistent efforts to expose issues surrounding the Timbo Taka dumpsite, a facility located in Watamu that has garnered criticism due to its bad condition.
For years, the dumpsite has been a source of environmental and health concerns, as it has become a dumping ground for hospital waste, hotel refuse, and plastic pollution.
The group is advocating for a thorough investigation into a Sh25 million tender that was awarded to clean and improve the site, which they argue was mismanaged or misappropriated.
Despite the group’s vocal opposition to the hazardous conditions at Timbo Taka, members have reported facing intimidation tactics allegedly orchestrated by Governor Mung’aro and his associates.
Some officials within the Concerned Citizens have claimed they have been followed and harassed, raising fears for their safety.
This atmosphere of fear has only intensified calls for justice from group leader Fred Ogolla, who insists that those threatening whistleblowers must be held accountable.
Ogolla’s statements highlight a troubling pattern, instead of addressing the grievances raised by concerned citizens, county officials have resorted to intimidation to silence dissent.
Sir Emmanuel Okeyo, the group’s representative in Kilifi, has submitted numerous complaints regarding the dumpsite to local authorities, but he claims to have received little to no response.
His personal safety has also come into question, as he alleges that individuals linked to the governor have threatened and monitored him.
“The county government has resorted to threats and intimidation to those who are correcting it instead of solving the issues raised,” Ogolla stated, emphasizing the need for intervention from higher authorities.
The situation surrounding the Timbo Taka dumpsite is compounded by claims that the land on which it sits is private property that the county government has unlawfully occupied.
Ogolla mentioned that the group has reached out to the National Land Commission, seeking assistance in addressing this land dispute.
It is believed that Ksh 25 million designated for cleaning efforts may have been lost to pending bills, further deepening concerns over financial mismanagement.
In light of these revelations, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has been invited to investigate all tenders related to improvements at the Timbo Taka site, including a Sh 25 million tender issued last year for cabro works.
Calls have also been made for investigations into specific county officials, including Environment Chief Officer Zamzam Ali and Environment Director Jimmy Yaa, who are suspected of negligence or complicity in the ongoing issues.
In addition to the concerns surrounding the dumpsite, allegations have emerged regarding Malindi MP Amina Munyazi’s conduct.
The lobby group asserts that Munyazi has been targeting its officials who criticized her for allegedly distributing sewing machines to women’s groups, only to retrieve them later for redistribution to other groups.
This pattern of behavior has further eroded public trust in their leaders, as residents feel betrayed by elected officials who should be championing their welfare.
The challenges facing Kilifi County indicate the need for transparency, accountability, and protection for whistleblowers.
As the Concerned Citizens lobby group continues to fight for justice, they serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of civic engagement and the need for robust measures to protect those who dare to speak out against corruption and mismanagement.
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