Kenyan MPs warned over graft in CDF
Wycliffe Oparanya, Minister for Planning and National Development at a past function. He said a report by auditors showed project management committees in some areas had misused millions. Photo/FILE
MPs suspected of misusing the Constituency Development Fund could soon be arrested.
Planning and Vision 2030 minister Wycliffe Oparanya on Wednesday accused MPs of shouting the loudest about corrupt Cabinet ministers yet some could not account for millions of shillings allocated to their constituencies.
Mr Oparanya said a number of complaints on the misuse of CDF money had been forwarded to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission “and soon some legislators will be arrested.”
He said a report by auditors showed project management committees in some areas had misused millions.
More than Sh14 billion was allocated to constituencies last year but some MPs appointed cronies and relatives to manage the funds, resulting in poor implementation of projects.
“It is shocking that we still have mud classrooms in some constituencies despite enough funds being allocated for permanent structures and for other projects to improve living standards,” Mr Oparanya said.
The minister said the auditing of CDF projects had been intensified, stressing that focus would be on whether proposed projects were implemented and suitable for the money invested.
Mr Oparanya said from next week, he would personally inspect projects and heads would roll.
“We have seen MPs gang up in Parliament to crucify members of Cabinet over graft allegations; now it is their turn to face the music.”
He said by misusing CDF money, MPs were condemning their constituencies to poverty and undermining the Vision 2030 roadmap.
The minister, however, said some constituencies had utilised the funds properly apart from some cases in Western Province.
His assertions were criticised by Gender assistant minister Manyala Keya and Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito, who warned him against disparaging Western Province MPs.
Mr Keya, also the Lurambi MP, was particularly unhappy with a statement by the minister that the CDF had made little impact in his constituency.
“It is cheap politics. He is trying to build on the dissatisfaction of the people of Lurambi over the boundary division to campaign for governor,” said Mr Keya.
He said auditors from Mr Oparanya’s office had given the Lurambi CDF a clean bill of health.
Additional reporting by KNA
