Ad hoc committee scrutinizes Londiani accident fundraiser utilization

Kericho

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

KNA Dominic Cheres/ Steve Were

County Assembly of Kericho led by Tendeno/Soget MCA Moses Rotich have conducted 4-day cross-examinations on the Londiani accident fundraiser which was presided over on July 4 by the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The Ad Hoc Committee which was formed to look into the alleged embezzlement of the funds raised for Londiani victims, put into hot seat several county executives and other officials including Dr. Wesley Bor (County Secretary), Dr. Japheth Cheruiyot (CO Health), Raphael Yegon (Director Rays Hotel), Alphonse Rotich (CO Office of the Governor), Reverend Joyce Tanui among other officials who appeared before them at the assembly chambers.

This is after claims that the funds raised on June 31 meant to help 53 accident victims did not reach the beneficiaries.

The committee last Friday August, 2023 scrutinized the reports from deputy governor Eng. Fred Kirui who told the committee the effectiveness and capacity of his claims that money was misused and stolen by other leaders within the county cabinet.

Speaking at the assembly chambers, Eng. Kirui said “it is unfortunate for victims who suffered during the accident to go without any penny because of rogue leadership in the county.” He called for a thorough audit and whipping within the laws all rogue county officials who mischievously squandered money meant for the public.

Kericho County Secretary Dr. Wesley Bor who appeared before the ad hoc committee just after the deputy governor, confirmed that indeed he’s the author of those documents presented by the deputy governor.

Dr. Bor maintained that no single penny was lost or misused as the Equity Bank gave them an account named “Londiani Accident” which received a total of Sh. 935, 964 from the contributions via MPESA and a cash deposit of Sh13, 653,660 from the fundraiser.

The Committee also questioned Director of Rays Hotel, Mr. Yegon who was paid huge money for catering services and provision of non-existing services as per the reports.

He told the committee that they provided hotel services to guests and other leaders at a total cost of Sh. 511, 000 which was segregated as inclusive of items such as tents and lunch at Rays Hotel.

CECM Finance Mr. Leonard Ng’etich who also appeared before the committee told them that he just learned about the Londiani Accident via social media while he was away from the County saying that the transactions which were done can only be authenticated from the bank statement that he presented.

Director of Supertrix and Super shine Events confirms the controversial payments of Sh.2,945,000 and Sh. 411,000 respectively as commensurate to services they gave the county government of Kericho during that one-day event.

The team also questioned the leadership of Kericho County saying that during the preparations and planning for the fundraiser, they were not involved as the committee neither informed on what they should do.

“In fact, we do not know even know how the arrangements for the fundraiser, and the procurements were done. We were sidelined until the last minute only to realize ill plans to wrongly use the funds” Moses Rotich said.

Meanwhile, Eng. Fred Kirui questioned the manner in which these frugal expenditures were conducted saying that it was the intention of selected executives to use these Supertrix, Super Shine, and Rays Hotel as a cover of their plans.

“I believe this act of trying to mess with public property is a deadly disease because what would happen if the contribution summed up to Sh. 500, 000 which they have all used to pay for Super Shine Events. We would have told the accident beneficiaries that now the fundraiser didn’t meet the target and what was collected had been used to pay for tents?” added Eng. Kirui.

Meanwhile, Governor Mutai talking to the press outside his office last Friday refuted claims that the money for the victims had been misused saying it was safe and the Committee was still in the process of paying the victims.

“It is unfortunate that I have learned these accusations and claims that money contributed towards helping accident victims have been embezzled and squandered. I will take firm deliberate actions in order to ensure every cent is accounted for correctly and those culpable of misappropriation faces laws of the land,” Dr. Mutai said.

In the presser, Governor Mutai rubbished claims of embezzlement of funds as unfounded adding that his embattled deputy has not demonstrated leadership and acted as a whistle-blower while complaining day and night, hinting that he will not be swayed by sideshows and politics.

After coming to the completion of a 4-day process of thorough scrutiny and accountability check, the ad-hoc committee is set to start writing its reports on the findings and further process will follow.

Present during the chambers proceeding were; MCAs Moses Rotich (Chair), Julius Siele (Waldai Ward), Albert Kipkoech (Soliat Ward), Philip Mutai (Kipchimchim Ward), Anthony Ruto (Kipkelion Ward), Matthew Korir (Chaik Ward), and Paul Kiptoo Bii (Kapsaos Ward) among others.

Courtesy ; K. N. A