• It pointed out that in the letter written to Mwangaza dated October 19, it was strictly addressing the allegations of nepotism and abuse of office against her.
• The anti-corruption body further said it had sent similar letters to other governors and state officers.
Image: FILE
The ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has said it has no role to play in determining family issues raised by Murega Baichu, husband to Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The couple appeared at the EACC offices on Friday during which they addressed a press conference and raised a number of concerns.
In his address, Baichu asked the EACC to help him understand whether it was illegal for him to ride in the governor's official car.
He also sought to know if he was not supposed to spend a night at the Governor's official residence.
But in a rejoinder, the EACC distanced itself from the matter. The EACC said it never raised concerns over the matter and as such, it cannot purport to adjudicate on the same.
"The strange issues raised in the press conference were neither raised by the Commission nor were they part of the contents of its letter to the Governor. Such are not matters that concern the Commission," EACC said.
It pointed out that the letter written to Mwangaza dated October 19, was strictly addressing the allegations of nepotism and abuse of office against her.
The body reiterated that it could not condone the allegations from the press conference alluding to said directives regarding the use, or otherwise, of the Mwangaza's official vehicles and residence by Baichu.
"In the performance of its duties, EACC is guided by the law and does not venture into personal or family affairs," it said.
The anti-corruption body further said it had sent similar letters to other governors and state officers.
It added that they responded to the advisories without publicizing them or making false allegations.
In the aforementioned letter, the Commission raised various issues including claims that Mwangaza had ordered her county employees to participate in promoting Baite TV, which is allegedly owned by Baichu.
She was also put on the spot for employing her sisters and husband, issues she clarified during her press conference.
Mwangaza said Baichu is a volunteer as the youth patron and is not paid, one of her sisters, who is her bodyguard is paid by the NPS and the other, her Personal Assistant, has been working for her for five years.
EACC in Friday's statement urged the public to ignore the claims.
"The Commission urges the public to ignore such allegations which are clearly calculated to trivialise and politicise the Commission's work," it said.