Likoni DO defends chief over graft claim

Likoni DO Moses Ouma yesterday dismissed calls by Mtongwe residents to investigate a chief on corruption. The residents who had staged a demonstration twelve days ago marched to the DO’s office yesterday petitioning the chief’s dismissal. The residents led by their spokesman Mgandi Kalinga are accusing Chief Fatuma Juma of corruption.

Addressing journalists at his office, Kalinga said the chief is involved in illegal dealing of a piece of land which had been allocated to an orphanage. He said the chief sold the land given to Noor Orphanage by the government in 2004 for Sh2.5 million. The residents accuse the chief of using the orphanage certificate to raise funds in the Diaspora.

Ouma, speaking to the Star on phone, said they are "mere allegations, witch-hunting and lack evidence". “I have all the relevant documents to show that any undertaking was well-documented,” he said. Ouma also said the allegations against the chief needs to be substantiated before any action is taken.