Assistant minister wants PS probed in cash scam

By Standard Team

The intrigues into the alleged embezzlement of Sh175 million for free primary education took a new turn with Education Assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny saying the PS was the accounting officer and should not claim innocence.

Prof Ayiecho said, " I don’t know anything about the money but the PS is the person who deals with the finances. My minister Sam Ongeri could also be knowing little but I do not want to speak for him."

He said the alleged embezzlement of the funds was wrong and those implicated should step aside and be charged in court.

But on Tuesday, the PS Karega Mutahi came out fighting saying why he was not quitting even as he sought to manage the crisis. He exonerated the Minister in any involvement in the scandal and maintained no funds had been lost.

Suspended officers

But it is emerging from sources within the ministry that Ongeri was infuriated at one of the meetings by Karega’s move to suspend some officers before the investigations were completed.

Similarly, sources intimated to The Standard that the Sh175 million could just be a tip of iceberg of the scam.

Our sources revealed that some of the receipts could have been altered and genuine ones hidden.

Ayiecho spoke at a press conference in Kisumu.

And three MPs dismissed Karega’s explanations over the expenditures of billions meant for free education.

Mr Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Mr Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani) and Mr Simeon Mbugua (Kamukunji) said the PS on his own admission that Sh9 billion had been misplaced in a different vote was a crime on its own.

He said the PS must be dismissed for negligence. Khalwale said the PS must be held accountable for failing as an accounting office.

Pave way

Gumbo said given the PS had exonerated the minister from blame, he should leave office to pave way for independent investigations.

The PS, while addressing a press conference said he approved financial expenditures in the ministry and assured Kenyans all was well but " media was blowing non-issues out of proportion."

At the same time, Kenya National Parents Association (KNPA) threatened to go to court over the misappropriation of funds.

KNPA goes to court even as sources indicated the Ministry of Education officials have sent blank chits to affected school to sign that they received the money.

Head teachers in schools in Kilifi, Malindi, Busia and Garissa were said to have received the express orders from a top ministry official to have the forms signed urgently and returned to Nairobi.

Secretary-General Musau Ndunda while addressing the press at his office said the country will be shocked when they go to court.

"The evidence we shall adduce will forever incriminate the PS," added Ndunda.

—Reports by Anderson Ojwang’, Maseme Machuka, Vitalis Kimutai and Titus Too