By M, KNA
The National Assembly’s Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee led by the chairperson, Dr. Gideon Mulyungi inspected the Suneka police station project following complaints of misappropriation of funds allocated to the project.
The project was funded by the Bonchari National Government Constituency Development Fund and has been completed.
The Committee visited the police station after area MP Charles Onchoke wrote a letter to the NG-CDF Board concerning non-payment of money owed to the project’s contractor.
“We came to listen to the Project Management Committee (PMC), Fund Managers, NG-CDF Board, and the user department, which is the Kenya Police and the national administration,” noted Dr. Mulyungi, who is also the Mwingi Central MP.
He revealed that discussions had confirmed that a total of Sh3.6 million was missing after being withdrawn by the Project Management Committee without proper approvals.
Dr. Mulyungi said the Committee would give recommendations on the matter and cautioned PMCs against embezzlement of funds meant to improve the welfare of the community members.
“NG-CDF has initiated projects in every village across Kenya, unlike other funds and therefore, we are going to crack our whip against any PMC messing up with the funds,” affirmed the Chairperson.
While addressing the MPs, the Secretary to Bonchari PMC Beatrice Mayore who worked during the project under review, said she withdrew about one million on behalf of the Committee at different intervals.
It was further revealed that the PMC Chairman William Ongeri also withdrew a sum of Sh2.3 million without the approval of the Board.
In the financial year 2017/2018, the Bonchari Constituency Committee proposed the construction of the police station at a total cost of Sh. 21 million.
However, the contractor told the MPs that he had only received Sh16 million and had a pending payment of Sh4.5 million, despite completing the project years ago.
Legislators including Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango), James Oyoo (Muhoroni), Gertrude Mwanyaje (Kilifi), David Mboni (Kitui Rural), Richard Kilel (Bomet Central) and Caroline Ng’elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet) were among the Committee members present during the visit.
