The Kericho County Assembly ad hoc committee scrutinize Londiani accident fundraiser utilization.

 

News & Updates

Kericho, 9th August 2023 (KNA)  by Steve Were, The Savvy Journalist.

County Assembly of Kericho led by Tendeno/Soget MCA Hon. Moses Rotich have extensively conducted a 4 day cross examinations in their fact finding mission on the Londiani accident fundraiser which was conducted on 4^th July in Londiani and presided over 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 who included Dr. Wesley Bor (County Secretary), Dr. Japheth Cheruiyot (CO Health), Raphael Yegon (Director Rays Hotel), Alphonce Rotich (CO Office of the Governor), Reverend Joyce Tanui among other officials who appeared before them at the assembly chambers

This is after the fundraiser conducted alongside a memorial prayer service and funds raiser which was presided over by the deputy president H.E Rigathi Gachagua, among other leaders purposely for road carnage victims which claimed lives of 53 Kenyans at Londiani Junction on 31^st June 2023.

The committee on Friday 4^th August, 2023 scrutinized the reports from deputy governor H.E Eng. Fred Kirui who told the committee the effectives and capacity in his claims that money was misused and stolen by other leaders within the county cabinet.

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

At the same time, 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 deputy governor. In a statement to respond to the findings, Dr.Bor maintained that no single amount was lost neither misused as the Equity Bank gave them account named “Londiani Accident” which received a total of Kshs.935, 964 from the contributions via MPESA and a cash deposit of Kshs.13, 653,660 from the fundraiser.

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

Mr. Raphael Yegon told the committee that they provided hotel services to guests and other leaders at a total cost of Kshs.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 learnt 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 which he presented.

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

The ad-hoc committee and its chair Tendeno/Soget MCA Hon.Moses Rotich 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 how the arrangements on fundraiser, the procurements were done. We were sidelined until the last minute only to realize the 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 an intention of selected executives to use these Supertrix, Super shine and Rays Hotel as a cover of their plans mentioning what would happen if the fundraiser was to be sh.500, 000 as total contributions.

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 kshs.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 have been used to pay for tents? “Added Eng. Fred”.

Meanwhile, Governor Mutai talking to the press outside his County office last Friday refuted the 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 learnt these accusations and claims that money contributed towards helping accident victims have been embezzled and squandered. I will take firm and 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 these claims as unfounded adding that his estranged 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 a 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),Paul Kiptoo Bii (Kapsaos Ward) among others.

Ends…..

(Kericho County Assembly ad hoc committee seek answers from the county executive and County Secretary Dr. Wesley Bor on the Londiani accident compensation funds.)

Photo by || The Savvy Journalist