BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI
MBEERE SOUTH deputy county commissioner’s official car and Marsabit Prison pickup are among government vehicles impounded by the police over misuse during the Christmas Holidays.
The vehicles were nabbed during a countrywide crackdown on December 26.
The DCC’s double cabin pickup was intercepted by police officers from Government Vehicles Check Unit on Thika-Murang’a Highway.
It was taken to Kabati Police Station in Murang’a county on Thursday morning.
The Mbeere South administrator Charles Igina could not be reached for comments.
He was forced to look for an alternative means of transport.
Contacted, Embu county commissioner Abdullahi Galgalo did not respond to text messages nor phone calls.
A source privy to the crackdown who sought anonymity said the administrator’s vehicle was full of suspected goods including relief food.
“It is shameful for someone who is paid commuter allowance by the government yet goes ahead to steal from the same government while feeding on food meant for the poor.” The source told Hot News.
Efforts to get comments regarding the crackdown from the GVCU commander Marcella Wanjiru were futile as her phone was off.
She had not responded to text messages sent to her by Hot News by the time of going to press.
In a previous interview in her Nairobi office Wanjiru said misuse of government vehicles amounts to corruption.
“This leads to unjustified wear and tear of government vehicles as well as misuse of fuel. It is a scandal.” She said.
A pickup belonging to Marsabit Prison was intercepted along Isiolo-Moyale highway allegedly loaded with 20 Kilos of Cannabis sativa (bhang).
It was taken to Archers Post Police Station.
Kenya Prisons spokesman Kennedy Aluda said he was out of office and would follow up the matter.
“I have travelled and will respond once I get the right communication.” He said on phone.
A police Land-cruiser belonging to Thika police station was also not spared.
It was intercepted in Thika on Thursday night while towing a private car belonging to a relative of the police driver.
“All the culprits have already been charged and will pay various fines depending on their offences.” said a junior police officer under condition of anonymity.
Rules Governing government vehicles prohibit use of the vehicles for private functions and during non-working days and hours.
Those in charge of the vehicles are not allowed to park at private premises too.
GVCU is under the traffic department and is mandated to curb misuse of government vehicles.
The user must sign a work ticket indicating the intended route and time of departure and arrival.
The unit has a commander answerable to the traffic commandant.
Offenders are currently fined by the unit through the office of the Deputy President.