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Jaguar calls for freezing of Nacada accounts over claims of funds embezzlement
Nacada director Charles Njagua Kanyi, popularly known as Jaguar (third left) helps a boda boda rider put on a reflector jacket on November 18, 2015. He called for the freezing of Nacada accounts following claims of embezzlement of funds. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- He was speaking Wednesday after presenting motorcycle reflector jackets to boda boda riders on Mombasa Road in Nairobi.
- Members of a parliamentary committee accused the board of watching as Sh137 million was wasted on consultancy services.
- The recommendation of the committee comes after the board was entangled in wrangles pitting chairman John Mututho, CEO William Okedi and vice-chairman Gladys Nasieku against one another.
- Nacada is said to have sourced consultancy services from NGOs involved in the fight against drugs, alcohol and narcotics.
A director with the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) wants the agency’s accounts frozen in a bid to cub embezzlement of funds.
Board director Charles Njagua Kanyi, popularly known as Jaguar, has also supported a recommendation by the parliamentary Committee on Administration to dissolve Nacada over corruption, saying the move was timely.
“Nacada bosses have been fighting drug abuse in the wrong way.
"The war against drugs cannot be won in board rooms and retreats but through field work and campaigns that reach out to the victims,” Mr Kanyi told the Nation.
He was speaking Wednesday after presenting motorcycle reflector jackets to boda boda riders on Mombasa Road in Nairobi.
“Nacada accounts should be frozen as a stop-gap measure (against) the corruption that has rocked this agency, then a new organisation will be formed to fight drug abuse and not embezzle funds,” he said.
CONSULTANCY SERVICES
Members of the parliamentary committee accused the board of watching as Sh137 million was wasted on consultancy services for disbursing funds and procuring media services.
Nacada is said to have sourced consultancy services from NGOs involved in the fight against drugs, alcohol and narcotics.
In a report, the departmental committee on Administration and National Security said disbanding Nacada would help in the restructuring of the institutional framework of the organisation to ensure that the board and the secretariat deliver on their respective mandates.
The committee's recommendation comes after the board was entangled in wrangles pitting chairman John Mututho, CEO William Okedi and vice-chairman Gladys Nasieku against one another.
The feud started after Mr Mututho sacked Mr Okedi and six other officials in June 2015 over alleged fraud involving Sh99 million, but his decision was later overturned by Ms Nasieku.
Lawmakers also want the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to conclude its investigations into the disbursement of the Sh99 million and ensure those found culpable are punished.
The consultancy was handled by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young, which later identified the NGOs to receive money used for advocacy and campaigns.
