MCAs in trouble over lost Sh4m

Fifteen members of the county assembly are being investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged embezzlement of Sh4.5 million meant to facilitate public participation meetings. 

The anti-graft commission’s Central region official Charles Rasugu claimed the ward representatives falsified books of accounts and lists of residents who attended the meetings. 

The MCAs passed the Laikipia County Public Participation Act which requires the county government to allocate each of the 15 wards Sh300,000 every quarter of the financial year to facilitate collection of public views on development projects.

But EACC said the MCAs failed to spend the money for the intended purpose and proceeded to justify the spending of the money by falsifying records.

“Each MCA was to receive Sh1.2 million annually. They had received money for the first quarter which they are alleged to have pocketed. We got a complaint from our intelligence networks that the money was not used prudently,” said Mr Rasugu.

Necessary documents

Detectives have already obtained necessary documents from the assembly Speaker Patrick Waigwa and the clerk for scrutiny.

After inspection of the documents and if the detectives note abnormalities, Rasugu explained, the Ward Reps and the Assembly leadership will be summoned to record a statement in readiness for prosecution.

“The investigations are ongoing,” added the manager.