WIlly Mtengo, the ODM parliamentary candidate for Malindi, greets supporters in January. Photo/ALPHONCE GARI
Willy Mtengo, ODM candidate for Malindi MP, has dismissed reports he forged his academic certificates as “cheap propaganda and gossip”.
Documents seen by The Star claim he submitted forged KSCE and first degree certificates to the Kenya Ports Authority at the time of his employment and subsequent promotions.
Mtengo worked at KPA from 1998 to 2011, rising from cadet trainee to public relations officer and finally personal assistant to the MD in 2006. He became Resident Representative, Great Lakes Region, Grade HM 1.
Mtengo told the Star on Friday that those peddling the claims are malicious and “have sensed defeat”.
“I can tell you for sure that my papers are in order and the record of schools I have gone to is well known,” he said.
“This cheap antics by Jubilee are because they know I’m winning the race. Let us meet at the ballot.”
On a Facebook Page called ‘Malindi Kenya’, Mtengo asserted the allegations he forged certificates are meant to confuse Malindi voters.
He insisted he sat his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam at Malindi HGM in 1986 and gave his certificate number as 337466.
“I sat for my KCSE at Kenyatta High School in Mwatate, Taita Taveta in 1992 and subsequently attended Schiller International University in Germany,” he said.
But a letter dated July 22, 2011, by the then headteacher Julius Ngondo, refutes claims Mtengo went to the school. MPs are required to have post-secondary education.
ODM, which has traditionally dominated the Coast, goes head to head with Jubilee, which is seeking to make inroads. The poll will test the ground for 2017 and the stakes are high for regional politicians.
In a statement on Friday, ODM Communications director Philip Etale also dismissed the claims saying Mtengo’s papers are genuine and confirmed he will represent Cord in the Malindi by-election on March 7.
“Reports appearing in a section of the media claiming that Mtengo has fake academic credentials are a clear indicator that his opponents, particularly in the government, have sensed early defeat,” Etale said.
“This will not deter ODM/Cord’s resolve to recapture the seat which belongs to the party. No amount of pettiness, witch-hunt, propaganda and hate will cause them to deviate from aiming for the bull’s eye.”
Etale said Cord leader Raila Odinga and co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula will be in Malindi to escort Mtengo to IEBC offices to present his nomination papers.
“Mtengo has all the necessary/required documents, both academic and political (Nomination Certificate), to present to the IEBC on Monday,” he said.
Mtengo said: “One can go ahead and confirm this with the respective institutions. This Monday, I shall present my papers to the IEBC where all this gossip will be put to rest.”
At a rally on Friday, Coast leaders accused Jubilee of threats and intimidation.
“They know they have lost the seat. No amount of propaganda and intimidation will change the minds of the people of Malindi. Mtengo is the MP, period,” Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said.
He was joined by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, Kilifi woman representative Aishsa Jumwa, Nominated Senator Agness Zani, Mombasa woman representative Mishi Mboko and Jomvu MP Badi Twalib.
