By Leo Odera Omolo

A month ago when this writer came up with an analytical article suggesting that millions of shillings allocated by the government for various development projects in Nyanza might have gone to waste, he was vilified and issued with internet and phone threats.

But according to the latest audit reports and interviews with players involved in the implementation of the revolving constituency development fund (CDF) ,most of the projects have either stalled or failed to take off completely ,millions of government money evaporated in the air.

Millions were channeled to phantom projects whose physical address and locations have remained a mystery if not fictitious. A case in Rongo Constituency is that of a former high school principal turned building contractor who laughed all the way to the bank armed with a cheque of over Kshs 4 million.Mr. Olela has since fled the country on a green permanent residence in the US. Non of the projects, include a bridge at KOMIRE IN North Sakwa Liocation took off the ground.
 

The money was meant to be payment to the contractor for the construction of two important bridges for access and feeder roads within the constituency which never took off at all.

The contractor (name withheld) later used the cash money to migrate and his entire family to the US. He eventually abandoned his teaching job to start a new life in the comfort of US

People are left wondering how such loss of colossal amount of money could be reconciled in the Rongo CDF book of accounts

In the neighbouring Uriri a commercial water dam which was allocated over kshs 1 million was later switched from its original location and tuned into a family dam. The project was meant for the remote Ongilo area of North Kanyamkago . These are only a few example of bad governance of the CDF funds.

A serious murder case is still relatively being investigated by police in TransNzoia where a former CDF manager was brutally murdered by unknown suspect who is still at large. This particular case is a living testimony that a lot of water might have passed under the bridge.

In Nyatike a group of grieved constituent had moved to the court in Migori and temporarily succeeded in having the CDF account frozen .Such actions were not in vain.

In Ugenya the CDF money is alleged to have been used in the purchasing of a run-down Savanna Hotel which is located next to main Kisumu-Busia road .but it was later remerged with scathing allegations that the facility which was later turned to be used as a CDF office in the constituency is registered on an individuals name, though it was acquired with CDF money. Some of these allegations and rumours needs t be investigated and proof made public in order to restore the confidence of Wananchi that all are well with the public money.

In Nyando there are claims and allegations that a second hand grader was purchased with CDF money instead of a new one and the balance pocketed. These kinds of allegations needs urgent verification and consequently proof.

The latest audit report whose contents were published this week by the Nairobi daily ,THE NATION, explained that many projects earmarked in various constituencies in Nyanza failed largely due to misappropriation of funds allocated to the projects in adequate funding failure to  establish viability of the ventures or shoddy performance by contractors.

In one instance reported by newspaper two years ago a CDF local chairman cunningly and hurriedly registered his wife who had literally used previous experience in the construction work as a contractor and made it sure that the wife got the Lion¢s share in nearly all construction work  undertaken by the CDF.

Most annoying thing is that the inexperienced housewife turned building contractor reportedly use a lot of money bribing experienced and established contractors who made the bidding for tender on her behalf.

Other startling case is the allegations that CDF money was used in buying and slaughtering bulls for widows in one constituency .Part of the money was used in buying bicycles and wheelbarrows as well as constructing iron roofed houses fro the MP¢s supports and cronies .Investigations and additions should pay attention to such claims with the view of asserting their authenticity.

In most constituencies in Nyanza in particular some former MPs who had starling in the ninth Parliament was shown exit door by the electorate  not because of dismal performance is representative of the people  at the National level, but because of biased in the management of School bursary funds, CDF and other revolving funds.

Schools were not spared some headmasters and deputies used the money meant for school for the construction of family houses. Many members of CDF local committees got married to extra spouses.

Areas where a lot of money was siphoned is the procedure of items such as building materials at highly inflated prices >Such materials were sourced from shops run and managed by relatives and friends.

And the worst come at the procurement of vehicles graders. Instead of buying new graders used one were acquired and part of money budgeted for such items were pocketed or shared by relevant busy bodies involved in CDF committees.

Funds have been wasted on health centres, dispensaries, school, rural electrification programmes, road network, bridges and irrigation schemes among others projects.

KACC posted team of investigators in some constituencies but there teams also ended up allegedly compromised and the outcome of such investigations fizzled with no truce. A lot of money was used in hiring political goons who caused mayhem following the disputed presidential elections results in December last year.

Indeed it is the common belief that the financial ministry should have halted the disputed of new CDF money for the time being until after the money allocated in the previous years from 2003 is properly accounted for before releasing fresh allocations.

As a result of these anomalies, accounts managers who were already engaged and seconded to CDF led to CDF committees by the government are recommending changes if the funds allocated for various projects are to be utilized properly.

In some places the former MPs had even appointed their families and friends to serve in the local CDF committee in one area a bar made was named  a CDF committee member .The barmaid was reported to be an alleged concubine of the MP

In most cases the former MPs preferred the use of semi-illiterate CDF committee members in places of enlightened people with experience with the government accounting system. Why?

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

– – –
Date:  Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:55:01 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Leo Odera Omolo
Subject:  CDF FUNDS WILL CONTINUE TO GO TO WASTE UNLESS NEW CONTROLLING DEVICES ARE PUT IN PLACE