Ethics team to probe graft allegations in CDF bursaries

Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has pledged to investigate corruption allegations over award of CDF bursaries in Baringo Central constituency.

Charles Rasugu, EACC North Rift Regional Manager, said the commission learnt about the allegations  through the media and will soon crack the whip.

He said the matter may take time to resolve as it will require extensive investigations and asked for patience from residents.

Residents claims the kitty’s officials have been favouring their relatives in award of the bursaries and this had locked out deserving cases.

They further say some of the beneficiaries were undeserving, and cited a case where two chiefs were given double allocation.

According to the documents seen by The Standard, one CDF committee member, who is currently studying at Mt Kenya University in Nakuru, was allocated Sh60,000, which is way above the CDF Act ceiling

The locals also claimed that the committee allocated funds to another student at Mt Kenya University, who does not come from the location indicated on the application forms.

Anti-graft teams

Two other cheques are also said to have been drawn under the name of James B Kibet, who is an assistant chief for Sironoi sub-location, who received a total Sh18,000 after applying for the bursary from two different administrative units.

Kinyo sub-location assistant chief Ruth Kipsang Kaptuiya, on the other hand, allegedly received a total of Sh26,000, having also applied for the bursaries from two different administrative units (locations).

Constituency Fund Manager Michael Kones, who approved the bursaries, refused to comment on the allegations, but disclosed that the CDF committee plans to call a meeting to discuss the matter.

“We only heard there were complaints over the allocation from the social media, but until otherwise verified, the allegations remain propaganda propagated by the MP’s political enemies to discredit his development initiatives,” Kones told The Standard.

Baringo county government launched two anti-graft committees to fight vice in the county.

The Corruption Prevention Committee and Integrity Promotion Committee were formed in the wake of a  report by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission that indicated that Baringo has the highest bribery index.