MP pleads with national government to help stop pilferage of public funds

Siaya,

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

Gem Member of Parliament Mr. Elisha Odhiambo has appealed for the national government’s intervention to stop alleged pilferage of public funds by senior Siaya County Government officers.

Odhiambo said unless quick action was taken by the relevant investigative bodies, area residents will never enjoy the fruits of devolution as a few well connected individuals continue enriching themselves.

When addressing community leaders on Monday at his Mutumbu village home in North Gem ward, Siaya County, Odhiambo lamented that both the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission were holding up to 10 investigative files on alleged corruption within the devolved unit.

“I am calling on the DCI and EACC to move to Siaya and ensure that those files are actionable and decisions are taken,” said the MP and called on the national government to demonstrate its commitment to fighting graft by using Siaya as an example.

Odhiambo expressed regret for supporting the current Governor Mr. James Orengo during the last campaigns and vowed never to make such a ‘mistake’ again.

On calls by Siaya Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party officials that he should resign from his parliamentary seat and seek re-election for working closely with President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government, Odhiambo said he was ready to do so but on condition that the ODM leaders, who presided over the controversial lease of Yala Swamp land to a private developer restore it back to the community.

“I do not have a problem with that. If they can return the land to the people of Siaya so that we can develop agriculture, I will resign and seek re-election here in Gem and I am confident that I will trounce them,” he said.

Addressing the occasion, Ugunja Constituency United Democratic Alliance coordinator Mr. Fredrick Oyugi Dor said that the governor has failed to deliver on his election promises one year down the line.

Dor called on the President to help the local residents by unleashing investigative bodies to conduct thorough investigations and bring the corrupt officers to justice.

South Gem ward Member of the County Assembly Mr. Brian Anyango alias Otuom Polo accused Orengo of skewed appointments in his government that was denying other regions opportunities.

Courtesy; KNA