Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Leaders demand action over theft of billions from Kilifi County

The MPs, who were led by the Coast Parliamentary Group Chairman Gideon Mung'aro, said they estimate that more than Sh5 billion has been stolen from the public and have asked Kingi to come clean on the issue/DPPS

The MPs, who were led by the Coast Parliamentary Group Chairman Gideon Mung’aro, said they estimate that more than Sh5 billion has been stolen from the public and have asked Kingi to come clean on the issue/DPPS

KILIFI, Kenya, Nov 17 – Members of Parliament from Kilifi are asking for action against Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi for the loss of colossal sums of money from the County Government.

The MPs, who were led by the Coast Parliamentary Group Chairman Gideon Mung’aro, said they estimate that more than Sh5 billion has been stolen from the public and have asked Kingi to come clean on the issue.

Mung’aro said the theft of the money and those who handled hundreds of millions of shillings is known.

“There are four to five companies in Kilifi that have been used as conduits for stealing money from the public. We also know that they plan to bribe and buy the silence of the Kilifi County Assembly,” said Mung’aro.

Similar sentiments were levelled against the County Government by MPs Peter Shehe (Ganze), Kinango MP Gonzi Rai, Abu Chiaba and Mustafa Iddi (Kilifi South) who spoke at an event at Matano Manne, Ganze County, which was attended by Deputy President William Ruto.

Mung’aro said it was painful that the people of Kilifi were lining up for relief food when those running the County Government were stealing billions.

“The National Government is feeding people in Kilifi while people who are running the County Government are lining their pockets with the billions stolen from the public,” said Iddi.

The legislator also questioned why opposition leaders who are always vocal about claims of corruption are silent on the Kilifi issue.

Shehe said: “So much money has been stolen. We are tired of this corruption and from Monday we will take action against those who have stolen from the public.”

The MP said the spiralling levels of corruption at the County Government is the reason why the people of Kilifi have decided to ditch the opposition.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“We are united behind Jubilee and we will have President Uhuru Kenyatta as our President with Mr Ruto as his deputy and our governor will be Mung’aro. We will send everyone else home,” said Shehe.

Rai said the misuse of public funds by the County Government is despicable.

“This is not what Ronald Ngala had in mind when he promised us that devolution of Government will solve problems for use,” said Rai.

Kilifi Deputy Governor Mwakombo Kamto asked for help from the National Government to deal with runaway corruption in the county.

“Before devolution we did not know who to blame. Now, it is the children of Kilifi who are stealing from their mothers,” said the Deputy Governor.

Chiaba urged the people of Kilifi to continue working closely with the Government since President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy have shown commitment to support their county.

The DP called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the CID and all other agencies that have a role in anti-corruption to act swiftly on the reported loss of colossal sums of money from the Kilifi County Government.

“The EACC, CID and other agencies should ensure that those who stole money in Kilifi are brought to book,” said the DP.

The DP’s statement followed complaints from MPs who said that the Kilifi County Government has misappropriated billions of Shillings that would have been used to lift the people of Kilifi from poverty.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“Every year we have allocated more than Sh9 billion to Kilifi County and the first use for the devolved funds is to ensure that the people of the county have water, medicine and food. The Kilifi County Government must prove that it is working for the people,” said the DP.

At the event the Deputy President announced the launch of an animal off-take program through which the State will purchase livestock from locals as a coping mechanism during the drought.

He said that the Government has allocated Sh100 million for animal off-take programs out of which Sh40 million is earmarked for Kilifi County.

Under the program, the Kenya Meat Commission will purchase cattle from locals to cushion them from losses.

The DP said the program is part of the interventions by the Government to support residents of Kilifi who are affected by the current drought.

The Government has also started a relief program that will run until the food security situation improves.

“We do not want to have anyone dying because of hunger in Ganze’” said the Deputy President where he commissioned the Godoma Technical Training Institute.

The DP said the Government has funded the construction of the Godoma Technical Training Institute at a cost of Sh220 million.

The Government will deliver equipment worth Sh20 million to the institute by January and hire four more tutors, the Deputy President announced.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The DP, who is on a four day tour of the coast region, said the National Government will continue funding more development projects to empower the youth and uplift the living conditions of the people of Kilifi.

He said more technical institutes have been constructed in Kaloleni, Magarini and Malindi while funds will soon be allocated to construct another one in Rabai.

The Deputy President said the Government will also spend Sh1 billion to complete a premier tourism training college in Kilifi.

“We have allocated Sh1 billion to complete the college we have named the Ronald Ngala Utalii College and it will be the second premier tourism college after Utalii College,” said the Deputy President.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News