Why Okiya Omtatah Has Sued Azimio Governor
Senator Okiya Omtatah has sued Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, paving the way for a legal battle.
Omtatah accused the Azimio la Umoja Governor of ignoring 12 letters requesting answers on various county expenditures in his petition to the Busia High Court.
Omtatah claimed that the county boss had purposefully sabotaged his oversight role by refusing to release relevant information as requested in the letters.
“After being contemptuously snubbed by Hon. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma and his officers, I have sued the Governor in the High Court of Kenya at Busia,” Omtatah wrote on his X account.
The construction of Busia Caravan Park in the Mundika area is also at the heart of the legal dispute. The outspoken lawmaker claimed that the park procurement process was irregular.
Omtatah also accused Governor Otuoma of irregular and unlawful procurement and distribution of new kiosks in Busia Town.
“Hence, it concerns the obligation on the respondent to uphold the rule of law, including by being transparent and accountable for his actions, and to provide to the petitioner and the public timely, accurate information as required by the Constitution and various statutes,” read part of the petition.
“The dispute in this matter concerns, on the one hand, the petitioner’s right under the law to access information held by the State, including under Article 35(1)(a) and (3) of the Constitution,” the petition further read.
He argued that the courts would compel the governor to provide his office with the necessary documents, paving the way for further investigations into graft allegations.
In November 2023, the Senator threatened to sue the Governor for failing to provide the necessary procurement documents. He directed Otuoma to honour his request, failing which he would file a lawsuit against him.
At the time of publication, Governor Otuoma had not responded to Omtatah’s accusation.
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Why Okiya Omtatah Has Sued Azimio Governor
