Residents of Tendwet in Kuresoi South have written to the Director of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Auditor General and National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) Board, calling for investigation into an alleged plunder of funds meant for reconstruction of roofs of two classrooms in Tendwet Primary School that were blown off by wind on Feb 16 2018.
In a three-paged petition, signed by 50 residents and parents of Tendwet Primary school, they accuse the NGCDF Committee of colluding with an engineer, funds manager, the school’s headteacher and the contractor to inflate the cost of reconstruction work to Sh1.7 Million claiming that based on the local standard rates, the cost would not have gone beyond Sh320,000.
“The repairs have since been completed and commissioned by the area MP on 31st March 2018,” the petitioned reads.
"Even after the scandal came into open, through social media, the area MP has said nothing leaving us to wonder whether he doesn’t understand his oversight role or he has opted to turn a blind eye to it as he might be part of these pilferers,” reads the petition.
The residents demand that appropriate authorities carry out investigations, recover misappropriated funds and prosecute responsible individuals. They also call for the disbandment of the NGCDF committee.
"Going forward, we demand for an open and transparent procuring and tendering process of all the NGCDF projects in the constituency," it adds.
The petition further reports that there have been threats and victimizations by some individuals to those who are being thought to have brought the scandal to the light.
Some members of the school’s board of management have also reported being threatened. The petitioned hence demand that such acts cease.
During a public meeting held on Friday May 2018, at chief's office, the school’s board of management revealed that the tender for the reconstruction was not done as per the provision of public procurement and disposal act 2005.
“Few days after we reported the damage, the NGCDF responded to the distress by sending us an engineer and the contractor with instruction that we render them maximum support until they complete the repairs,” the chair said.
"And after completion of the repairs, we were directed again by Kuresoi South NGCDF to sign a one-off transfer of Sh1,664,310 to contractor’s account," the chair he added.
He said they were in the dark over the project.
“As the chair of the school’s BOM, I want to confess that we were kept in dark over the whole repair project and as such I am assuring you of my support in this pursuit to find how the funds were spent,” he said.
Area chief, Philip Milgo, who was present at the meeting, said he learnt of the commissioning of the project by the MP, through social media.
“Let me confirm to you that it is your right to know how the funds were spent to the last cent. You have not wronged anyone at all by asking questions,” he said.
Efforts to get in touch with all the accused were futile as none could pick up their phones.