Machakos County Government will take legal action against the author and peddlers of ‘fake news’ against Governor Wavinya Ndeti, her family, and administration, county secretary and head of public service Dr Muya Ndambuki has said.
Ndambuki said those involved in the publication of false and demeaning information that the county boss had been arrested in the United Kingdom over allegations of money laundering must be arrested and arraigned in court to face relevant charges as per the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the country’s supreme law.
He called on investigative agencies to promptly take action and investigate those involved in spreading the rumours, as well as help unravel their motives.
Ndambuki rubbished the information on various blogs, and social media platforms, stating that the said content conveyed a package of established falsehoods.
“It’s with the foregoing in view that the entire literature must now be placed before the relevant arms of the state to ensure that they trace the subject content to its origination, roots, branches, as well as the motivation that has underpinned the same,” Ndambuki said.
Several social media platforms have in the last few days carried allegations about Ndeti and her family.
“There now exists a possibility that the County Government shall consider pursuing the most appropriate and relevant options available within the Constitution in safeguarding the interests and rights that accrue in that regard,” he said.
Ndambuki made the remarks hours after the governor refuted the claims on early Monday.
Ndeti, in a press statement, termed the claims "malicious and fake news" and warned of legal action against their author and those circulating them on social media platforms.
"My attention has been drawn to an online smear campaign designed and sponsored by my political detractors. This campaign is aimed at dampening the impact of the transformative work we are doing in Machakos,” the statement dated September 9 reads in part.
Ndeti stated that the claims were demeaning and an insult to the intelligence of the people of Machakos and Kenya at large.
“Those fabricating falsity are ignorant of the robust nature of UK Customs/Border Control and Financial Institutions. I can confirm that my family and I are safe and sound and remain in good standing both home and abroad,” Ndeti stated.
She said she would not be distracted in her quest for better livelihoods for the people of Machakos.
“My administration is closing on nearly 1,000 projects from August 2022, and in Financial Year 2023-24 we collected Sh1.7 billion in own source revenue which is the highest ever collected in Machakos since the inception of devolution,” she wrote.
Ndeti said they shall identify, pursue, and bring before the law all those peddling the reports he described as "fake".
“Such malicious misinformation has created a perception about me and my family members that endangers our lives. Let the authors of this narrative be warned that should anything happen to any member of my family or myself, you shall be held personally responsible,” she stated.
“Lastly, I encourage those spewing these fabrications to arm themselves with hard evidence when the law comes knocking."
