This Government is very good at mooting plans and programmes that are designed to cushion us every time we are faced with a challenge. In most cases, such programmes involve setting aside funds running into millions of shillings.
But history has shown that while we have excelled in establishing such programmes the same cannot be said when it comes to the management of funds to ensure they serve the intended purposes.
Over the years, impunity and greed have conspired to rob the deserving members of the public of cash set aside to mitigate their suffering. Also, the way such funds are managed leave a lot to be desired.
Take, for example, the management of millions of shillings for the Aids programme: Aids sufferers have continued to lack anti-retroviral drugs because those charged with the management of Aids funds have always got their priorities wrong. They have failed to make bold moves that would see the success of such programmes.
Cases of managers using such funds for selfish gains are common. In most instances, the culprits go unpunished and end up living large and flashing their ill-gotten wealth.
But how is it that funds meant to reduce the suffering of the needy end up lining the pockets of people who least need it?
Yet again, we are faced with another sad scenario when it comes to the management of funds meant to benefit the disabled.
Investigations by reporters from The Standard Group have unearthed a scandal that has seen millions of shillings for disabled siphoned into private accounts.
As we highlighted in a Special Report in The Standard On Saturday, allegations of massive corruption are swirling around several organisations that receive funding from the Government to help people with disabilities.
We said hundreds of millions of shillings are unaccounted for – possibly stolen – thanks to a flawed and wasteful disbursement process. The money comes from a three-year-old financial kitty for persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Gender and Social Development run the fund.
The shocking findings are also at the heart of a two-part series of television features first aired last night on KTN Leo (Jicho Pevu) and KTN Prime (Inside Story) bulletins. The second part will be aired on Sunday night.
It is worth noting that in the last three financial years, Treasury has set aside some Sh1.8 billion for social protection measures for the disabled. A big chunk of this allocation went to the National development Fund for Persons with Disabilities, which is a State corporation.
