- According to their demand letter says previous governor Prof Kuivutha Kibwana recognized their tireless work and facilitated them unconditionally
- Most of them termed Mutula Kilonzo Jnr’s uncaring behavior about the welfare of reporters as what has made uncouth characters take advantage of their innocence hustle
- However, while underscoring the fact that, not must to facilitate journalists, they questioned eligibility for public coffers budgeted to the department of communication if not properly utilized
Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has been demanded to kick out all the ghost workers in his county government and notably the communication department where there is rampant embezzlement of journalists’ facilitation mercilessly
Speaking to safinews.co.ke on Friday 26th May, one of the reporter from recognized media house in Kenya alleged that, since governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr took the leadership mantle, journalists have been disregarded and treated differently unlike before, likening as ‘second class citizens’
“It’s perturbing to see other officers are being given facilitation, yet journalists covering county functions can’t be recognized, we never experienced such evil mistreatments before, it’s the highest time the governor if he means well for us to stamp out up his authority and kick out bad elements, damaging his and government’s reputation,’’ He noted under anonymity.
Section of reporters alleged that communication department has always been allocated budget to facilitate journalists whenever they cover county functions, but all goes to individual’s pockets
In their demand letter shared to few media outlets, outlined some of the functions which they were washed on broad daylight includes; swearing in of county chief officers, launch of ajiiry job center, kyisa games celebration galore and national mango conference
“……we keep on standing up for our right to truth, transparency and balanced reporting, there are various predicaments that we have been facing, not natural but caused by ‘bad’ human character (ghost workers) from within the county government,’’ part of the letter read.
They demanded for thorough audit of all budgetary allocations drawn in the name of media to be carried out to ascertain beneficiaries, whether they get the facilitation and if their details would correspond
“We also call upon the governor to tell us who is Vincent Muli, the person who has been colluding and threatening various county departments soliciting cash and squander that which is made for facilitation of journalists in many county functions,’’ It added.
They have since announced to disengage themselves from covering Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr’s functions as well as those of his county government until their plight is addressed amicably
However, paltry of the reporters have come out disassociating themselves with the demands terming them unfortunate allegations which are aimed to achieve certain objectives