Many traps have been laid to hound me out- Governor Wamatangi

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi addressing Ngoliba residents, Thika East Sub County./KNA

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi now says he is a marked man, claiming that many traps have been laid for him in all parts of the county in efforts to hound him from office.

Wamatangi who was recently arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers over alleged financial and procurement malpractices, said corruption cartels and some politicians alike want him out of office.

Speaking in Ngoliba market, Thika East Sub County, during the distribution of free fertilizer to residents, the governor maintained that he will not be intimidated and will continue delivering his pledges to residents.

“Many traps have been laid on me in every part of the County. The politicians and cartels alike want me out because of my hard stance on corruption and theft of public property.        However, I will not be intimidated. I was given a five-year mandate which I will complete,” he said.

The governor attributed his predicaments to his hard stance against misuse of public funds and theft of public resources, especially land.

He cited the ongoing construction of ESP markets across the county which he said was a county government function and that he will not allow public land to be managed by MPs who have launched the construction of the markets.

He said cartels have been salivating for portions of land in the county, which he committed to not letting go.

“Some traps have been set in the ongoing construction of ESP markets by the national government which MPs have hijacked. We have seen fights, deaths, and destruction of public property in efforts to stop the county government from getting involved. However, we shall not let go because it is a devolved function,” he said.

The governor added that since he got to office, cartels who have been stealing public funds have been colluding with politicians to have him out of office.

He said he has managed to double the county’s annual revenue collection from Sh2.9 billion in 2022 to Sh4.7 billion this year, attributing this to sealing corruption loopholes.