A section of Kiambu County Assembly MCAs have poked holes on how Sh300 million was allocated to various youth and women groups during this financial year ending on June 30.
The MCAs led by Ngewa MCA Karungo Thangw'a accused the county government of either misappropriating or embezzling the fund meant for empowering women and youths in the county.
Speaking on Tuesday, during a probe of the County Youths CEC Machel Waikenda by the county assembly committee on Youths and Sports, Thang'wa said that there were many discrepancies with the list of beneficiaries especially that from Gatundu South.
"I contacted the beneficiaries of the fund through the phone numbers that were given as evidence by the youth department. Many were surprised that they had benefited from the fund. They wondered how a single group had reportedly benefited with up to Sh1.8 million from the kitty," said Thang'wa.
The probe was initiated after Thangw'a revealed that a bank statement showed that only 12 groups benefited of the listed 56.
However, Waikenda who was accompanied by the Chief Youths Officer Marie Mugo denied the claims.
"As a department we first vetted the banks to find the best way to disburse the funds as fast as possible. The beneficiaries were vetted and the banks visited them. We also submitted the beneficiaries' details to the banks for the disbursement," said Waikenda.
At one point the debate became heated after some MCAs accused the committee chair Joseph Mutunga and some members of trying to shield the executive from accountability when they demanded the media and the public leave the house arguing the matter under discussion had 'serious issues'.
"I want to be on record that our chairman and some committee members have eaten the money meant for the youths. I do not understand why the matter should be discussed in private," Riabai MCA, Martin Wachira said.
The aggrieved MCAs further accused the county officials of depositing the money in fixed accounts to earn them interest before disbursement.