The fire that burnt down four offices in the Kitui Couny finance building on Monday morning has aroused suspicion with a ward rep claiming it is a cover-up attempt.
The fire torched valuable documents in four offices, including that of the county treasury’s records office and director of economic and planning.
Leaders who arrived at the scene on Monday morning said it was strange that the fire occurred when the Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives were set to investigate alleged abuse of public funds.
Addressing the media at the scene, Kauwi MCA Jane Mutua urged detectives to investigate the cause of the fire, warning that the Kitui County Assembly had just recently raised concerns over alleged misuse of funds.
Ms Mutua claimed the fire brigade was stationed about 100m from the fire scene yet nothing was salvaged from the four affected offices.
But the Kitui Deputy Governor Wanze cautioned the public and leaders from speculating on the cause of the fire since an investigation has been ordered.
Kitui County Governor Charity Ngilu and the Finance minister Mary Nguli were not available for comment. Ms Ngilu is out of the country while Ms Nguli is on leave.
June salaries for Kitui County government staff and ward reps were delayed because of a long-running row pitting the executive against the county assembly.
