PANIC GRIPS MUHORONI AS ANTI-CORRUPTION SLEUTHS VISIT

By Arrum Tidi
Luocome, Muhoroni

Both Holy Bible and the Koran warn thieves and looters that they have a maximum of forty (40) days to face the law and justice on earth. The heavenly forty days will follow later, when the looters and thieves depart this earth, leaving their loots behind them.

For members of the Muhoroni CDF and their neighbouring bed fellow, the MD of Chemelil Sugar Co. Ltd., Prof. Julius Nyabundi, the forty days that thieves have seem to have arrived in earnest. It but took place in the week ending 26th January 2007 when Ringera's Anti-Corruption Commission sleuths pitched camp in Muhoroni to unlock the skeleton cupboard of theft and abuse of CDF funds.

This reporter was having breakfast in a Kisumu hotel when he bumped on the Anti-Corruption sleuths who had spent a week in that hotel. As they took breakfast, this reporter listened in as the sleuths narrated how they had bombarded Muhoroni to investigate and authenticate various reports regarding the looting of CDF in this cosmopolitan constituency. The reporter later joined the sleuths to share with them what concerned residents of Muhoroni have reported to him in writing regarding the abuse of their CDF.

It appears the sleuths were on the right track. Schools like Obumba Secondary, Magare, Oduwo and Nyangoma, were given more money than they deserved. Incomplete dykes have been fully paid for. Schools and institutions meant to have been given money never got the funds. Payments were made for ghost supplies. Payments were corruptly made to the MP's cronies. Cash withdrawals are showing that are then shared out fraudulently.

Prior to accidentally bumping on these sleuths, unconfirmed remours and allegations were already circulating in Muhoroni that the CDF Treasurer and Chairman had written a cool Kshs. 500,000/- to be spent to block the investigation. According to credible sources from Muhoroni, each of the five Anti-Corruption sleuths was to be given Kshs. 100,000/- to give Muhoroni CDF a clean bill of health,. Whether an attempt was actually made by the disgruntled CDF committee members and officials to temper with the work of the KACC Investigators is a matter of public conjecture. But the truth remain that many CDF members and the recipients of the money for projects panicked a great deal. Some of them, according to our informer, even took to their heels, disappearing and taking refuge in the nearby sugar-cane field, fearing facing possible arrest.

The KACC`s team had in its entourage experts such as auditors ,landvaluers,and were properly equip to handle the Muhoroni CDF men with efficiency and competency.

The fact stillt remains that Kshs. 500,000/- was withdrawn from the CDF account, but whether or not to compromise detectives can only be ascertained later. The money cannot be accounted for yet.

Theft and abuse of Muhoroni CDF through cash withdrawals like this one is not new in this constituency. I am informed it is now the preferred method to steal the funds as it is simple and less cumbersome. Anti-Corruption sleuths from Nairobi and even the D.C.I.O. Nyando should better be on the look-out.

Our informers on the ground have confided to us that in December 2006 alone, the Chairman and treasurer of Muhoroni CDF withdrew Kshs. 500,000/- for a non-existent constituency field trip. The trip did not take place as the money was just shared out between the CDF inner-core members.

In early January 2007, the same treasurer and Chairman again withdrew Kshs. 150,000/- for another bogus field trip. The loot was just shared out to assist some people pay school fees. Further information availed to us prove that some of those CDF cash withdrawals are used to pay the MP's mileage and sitting allowances within his constituency and also while traveling to and from Nairobi. These are delicious foods for thought for KACC officials who visited and or are still camping in Muhoroni.

But extremely arrogant and violent members of Muhoroni CDF were scared stiff when Kenya Anti-Corruption sleuths paid them a courtesy call. They were seen running around and making endless calls, telling their colleagues to prepare to meet the investigators but of course with something to chew. They particularly targeted a Luo member of the KACC team for a possible compromise, giving his name to the people he would meet at the next investigation sites.

For security reasons and for confidentiality, the sites, places, schools, bridges, dykes and so on, the sleuths visited and whom they talked to will not be revealed for the time being. Also by the time this story was being compiled, more important and damaging in-depth information about the KACC investigations and their possible findings was still trickling in from our constituency agents. Our esteemed readers will be accordingly informed when the information have been fully received and analyzed.

So far, our informers who are themselves disgruntled members of the CDF, former members of CDF and concerned church officials have recommended the Treasurer and a Mr. Kondis for special investigations. The two appear to be the engines and brains of looting the Muhoroni CDF.

The MP and other inner-core members of the CDF use the two to siphon money. We tend to agree fully with our informers on whom we have always relied upon to tell Kenyans nothing but the truth.

As of now, looters of Muhoroni CDF, the Treasurer, the Chairman, school heads and locational officials are running helter skelter as the KACC compiles its report. For good governance and management practices, residents of Muhoroni are appealing to Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission to make its report on Muhoroni public to clear the air, once and for all.