Firm claims CDF cash spent on ghost projects

By Daniel Nzia and Peter Atsiaya

A volunteer organisation has exposed a racket in which close to Sh19 million CDF money was spend on ghost projects.

The National Taxpayers Association (NTA) says that about Sh12.2 million could not be accounted for in Kathiani constituency for the 2006/07 financial year.

The organisation says at least Sh7.2 million was reportedly spent in similar projects in Machakos Town constituency in the same period.

The figures were presented during the launch of the first Citizen Report Card (CRC) at Garden Hotel in Machakos.

The Citizen’s CDF Report Card for the two constituencies was tabled by the NTA’s regional co-ordinator, Eastern Province, Nelly Masaku.

But when contacted, the immediate former Kathiani MP Peter Kaindi said the cash allegedly unaccounted for was left intact in the constituency CDF account and subsequently handed over to the current CDF team.

DOCUMENTS

"At least Sh7 million was left in the bank and therefore the claim that the same could not be accounted for is untrue. Whoever is in doubt can peruse the handing over documents," said Kaindi.

Former Machakos Town MP Mwanzia Daudi, who attended the forum, defended himself over the ghost projects claim.

Mr Mwanzia said he handed over some Sh7 million, which was in the CDF bank account at the dissolution of the last Parliament.

The former legislator suggested that MPs be removed from the management of CDF to ensure transparency and accountability.

He admitted there existed loopholes, which gave MPs express powers to manage the fund their way.

Meanwhile, donor agencies have funded construction of a sewerage system and expansion of Bomet water project at a Sh420 million.

PROJECT

Nile Basin Initiative and African Development Bank in conjunction with the Government have funded the project.

Bomet Municipal Council Treasurer Stephen Osiro said NBI had released Sh11 million for design work of the project.

The project is being spearheaded by Lake Victoria South Water Board.

Mr Osiro was briefing journalists who paid him a courtesy call in his office, yesterday.

"The project would improve the sanitary condition and stop pollution of the local rivers which consume waste due to lack of a sewerage system," said Osiro.

Bomet town, one of the growing urban centres, does not have a sewerage system.

"The demand for water in Bomet town and its environs is 1,2000 cubic metres but the water project produces 430 cubic metres of water," he said.

He added that initially, the water project was to cater for 60 families but the population had risen to over 30,000.

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