Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire has asked former Embu county secretary Lorna Kariuki to clear her of corruption charges and to shun politics.
Mbarire asked Kariuki, who has expressed interest in running for Runyenjes MP next year, to stop campaigning for the seat by “spreading lies “about her.
The legislator said Kariuki has been telling residents that she misappropriated Uwezo Funds and facilitated a Sh700 million piped domestic and irrigation water project that was substandard. The MP denied misappropriating public funds.
She said the water project she initiated through the CDF and completed by the national government is a success.
Her predecessors had failed for many decades to do it, she said.
Mbarire said it was absurd and illogical for Kariuki to accuse her of stealing public money, yet the former county secretary herself is facing corruption charges in court for allegedly misappropriating public money.
“One of those accusing me of misappropriating public funds has a case at the court about a stadium in which she had Sh8 million grass planted. Was it imported? Instead of somebody telling us what she has done, she is carrying Mwari wa Njagih on her back saying she did this or that,” Mbarire said.
Mbarire defended her record as an MP for the last 15 years, saying Runyenjes voters have been re-electing her because of her good development record, her integrity, responsibility and accountability.
She spoke at Runyenjes Stadium on Monday when she distributed Sh3,714,000 from the Uwezo Fund to 34 women’s groups, four youth groups and three groups of people living with disability.
Kariuki said she stands by her accusations against Mbarire.
i am not guilty – embu official
Former Embu county secretary Lorna Kariuki has denied conspiring to defraud the Embu government of Sh19 million. She says she knows she will be vindicated. Kariuki said she did not appropriate any funds and a court ruled that the county pay her Sh12.8 million for wrongful dismissal. Kariuki said, however, that Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire misappropriated public money by initiating a Sh700 million water project meant for 6,000 acres but only covering 500 acres.
