Stop creating avenues for theft of funds, county leaders told

Elected leaders in Homa Bay County have been challenged to stop hiking budgets of development projects to create room for embezzling public funds. 

The leaders including MPs, Woman Rep and Governor have been accused of hiking costs of development projects under their dockets.

Chairman of the Lake Basin Development Authority Odoyo Owidi who is also the spokesman of Rachuonyo Unity expressed concerns over the tendency, saying it hinders the implementation of development projects in the area.

Speaking during a fundraiser in aid of God Ndonyo SDA church in Karachuonyo Constituency, Owidi said the leaders were spending less than the amount of money allocated.

“We get surprised to hear that an MP, Woman rep or governor has undertaken a project worth a given amount of money yet the actual value of the project is less than the amount of money on official records. This creates room for embezzlement of funds,” Owidi said.

Owidi who was hosted by Kibiri ward MCA Michael Odira said the electorate will not acquire the expected development projects if the trend does not stop.

“I urge our leaders in the county to observe the principle of value for money in the implementation of development projects. We will not achieve the expected economic development if this trend continues,” he said.

The chairman said such leaders were hoodwinking residents that they were transforming their lives yet they are not making any impact.

“It is wrong to mislead the public with small projects which cannot transform their lives. Let the leaders stop misleading the people,” he added.

He further urged the electorate to know that developments projects done with public funds are their right.

“Let residents know that it is the right of the elected leaders to provide them with development projects with the public funds. Nobody should tell them they are being favoured,” he added.