Kisii Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism and Industry Samuel Kebati Osoro has denied allegations that his ministry misappropriated Sh3.8 million.
Addressing the press on Friday in his office, Osoro said the money of the financial year 2014/2015 was used to better Daraja Mbili market.
The ECM said the county took arbitrary measures to improve the environment for the business community awaiting the Mega project planned by the National government.
Osoro took issue with a news report in one of the daily papers that his department had spent Sh3.8 million that they could not account for.
“They misunderstood me when I was presenting the report before the Committee for Implementation and Public Accounts Committee; I clearly indicated that we had spent the money in the construction of two-foot bridges and a toilet. We also leveled the ground and did a car parking area in the market using cabro blocks,” he said.
“In short, the money was well spent and for the intended purpose. We could not keep quiet and see our people suffering. The El Nino floods had destroyed the market. Anybody not getting how the money was spent should come to our office for an explanation,” he added.
The Daraja Mbili market business community had demanded the minister to explain how the money was spent yet no convincing project had been done in the area.
They said no toilet had been constructed in the area and wondered how the two temporary footbridges could cost millions.
“We are working in a deplorable environment. Governor Ongwae promised to improve the market but not much work has been done. We are hearing that millions have been spent to better our working environment, can the minister explain this. There is no toilet and to make matters worse, the poor El Nino victims have not been compensated up to now,” said a tomato trader.
The former Kitutu Chache South politician said they had completed mapping and architectural design for the mark and handed it to the National government.
He said the stall storey building would be completed by the National government in collaboration with the county government.
“Ours was to do mapping and architectural design of which we have done and handed it to the National government for implementation. The National government has put aside Sh600 million for the mega-project meant to upgrade the market. Once the storey is complete, it will accommodate all kinds of businesses,” he said.
As part of the project, Osoro revealed a flyover would be built to ease congestion in the second market after Kibuye of Kisumu in the whole of Nyanza regional.