MP Samuel Arama on the spot over Constituency Development Fund usage

Nakuru, Kenya: Nakuru town west MP Samuel Arama is on the spot over skewed allocation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects in the area.

A section of his constituents want Mr Arama recalled for isolating some areas when funding development projects.

But the legislator reads mischief in the allegations saying those accusing him were out to malign his name over his fight against corruption and mismanagement of county resources by senior officers.

“This is corruption fighting back. Recently I protested against corruption and mismanagement of county vehicles by the senior officers who are behind this allegations,” said Mr Arama.

But the group of elders from Kapkures ward claimed Mr Arama has isolated the areas in terms of development, issuance of bursaries and disbursement of Uwezo Fund.

Led by former Councillor Joseph Ngetich, the residents criticised the MP for treating residents of the area differently over reasons best known to him.

“The MP has deliberately isolated residents of Kapkures and we will collect signature to petition the national assembly to have him recalled,” said Mr Ngetich who was accompanied by five other elders from the region.

Another elder John Waweru Kariuki called on the Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate all projects that were funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) when the MP took over; saying tax payers might have lost millions of shillings through dubious projects.

“We want the auditor general and EACC to launch investigation into the construction of Igobor Police Post and other CDF projects initiated by Mr Arama because we suspect funds were not properly utilized,” said Mr Kariuki.

He claimed that Arama allocated Sh2 million to the project that was already funded by former MP Lee Kinyanjui.

The elders who addressed a press conference in Nakuru on Monday said it was curious that their MP had taken it upon himself to criticize the county government yet he has been unable to make good use of CDF funds.

“Arama should keep off the affairs of Nakuru county because he does not have the moral authority to comment on the management of its affairs,” Mr Kariuki said.

When contacted for comments Mr Arama dismissed the claims of skewed allocation of CDF money saying the elders were being used by his rivals to tarnish his name.

“They should forward any evidence of misappropriation and skewed allocation of CDF to the concerned authorities instead of running around hotels holding press conferences so that they can please their masters,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the Igobor police station was a project he inherited from the former MP but which was incomplete.

He added that the responsibility of initiating development was the initiative of the constituents and the relevant committees.

“I do not have any role in deciding what projects are funded. The people decide through their relevant committee and forward the same to the CDF for consideration,” said the MP.

Mr Arama said he was being targeted because of the stand he has taken against corrupt officers at the county who were dishing out hand-outs to residents to protest against him.