North Imenti CDF money cannot be accounted for: MP

North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has taken to task former MP Silas Muriuki over millions of money which he claims is missing from the constituency kitty.

Mr Dawood says that the money from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) kitty disbursed to North Imenti Constituency from 2011 to 2012 cannot be accounted for.

Following allegations of misappropriated funds Mr Dawood has taken to task former MP Silas Muriuki and the outgoing committee.

He wants them to explain to residents the alleged irregularities in the management of the constituency cash.

Mr Dawood declined to disclose the amount allegedly misused saying investigations were on-going.

WITCH-HUNT

But addressing the press in Meru, Mr Muriuki and former chairman of the CDF Committee retired Methodist Bishop Lawi Imathiu defended the use of the funds and accused the MP of initiating a "malicious political witch-hunt" against them.

"A tour of the projects in North Imenti Constituency will assure all residents that none of their money was misused during my tenure as the area MP,” said Mr Muriuki.

Bishop Imathiu defended the outgoing committee saying they had utilised funds properly and dismissed allegations of mismanagement of the money.

Mr Dawood claimed that there were a number of ghost projects and expenditure that could not be accounted for.

“Some of the ghost projects include the Munithu and Nguthiru water projects, DEB Municipality Secondary school which is non existent and Kongoacheke dispensary where nothing has been done," said the MP.

“A project such as the Kongoacheke was allocated Sh1 million in the 2011/12 financial year and received an extra Sh1.5 million in the 2012/13 financial year.

NO WORK

An inspection shows no work on the ground has been carried out,” Mr Dawood said.

He said that those behind the misappropriation of the funds will be prosecuted if they are found guilty of any wrongdoing.

He further said a proper financial audit will be done on all projects to ascertain if they had been doctored to siphon cash from public to private accounts.

Mr Dawood urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate and prosecute the former MP and his management committee if they are found to have embezzled funds.

“I urge all my constituents to remain extra vigilant and check on wastage and theft of these funds meant to improve our livelihood,” he said.

The MP said there will be a regular audit of schools, dispensaries, roads and other projects funded by the CDF.