'Corruption rife in local authorities'

By FRANCIS NGIGE

Operations in local authorities countrywide have been crippled by corruption and nepotism, a parliamentary watchdog committee has established.

The damning evaluation by the Local Authorities and Funds Accounts Committee shows some council have failed to keep audited book of accounts.

The committee further notes that cartel-like groups have cropped up in the local authority "and breaking them would need some time".

As a result of the chronic inefficiency, the committee says, the public has not been getting the required services despite paying the requisite levies. Committee chairman Thomas Mwadeghu said a visit to civic bodies across the country has revealed some of them were using money given to them by the Government to pay salaries instead of development projects.

Speaking in Nyeri on Friday, Mwadeghu said staffing had been identified as a major problem in civic authority. Mwadeghu, who was accompanied by committee members Benjamin Lagat and Nemesyus Warugongo, said nepotism is rife in the councils.

They spoke after touring Local Authority Transfer Fund (Latf) funded projects in Nyeri County.

Giving an example of Limuru Municipal Council, the committee said investigations revealed relatives of chief officers occupy six out of 10 positions that were filled recently.

He said councils across the country were not filling vacant positions competitively as required in law.