MPs to probe CDF projects during Ruto, Munya tenure

Two governors and an appointee for ambassadorial posting are facing investigations over use of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) during their tenure as MPs.

The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is set to visit Chepalungu, Tigania East and Mutito constituencies formerly represented by Bomet governor Isaac Ruto, Meru governor Peter Munya and nominated ambassador for Turkey Kiema Kilonzo respectively to verify the projects following queries by Auditor-General Edward Ouko.

Mr Ruto and Mr Munya have resisted pressure from the Jubilee coalition, which sponsored them for the governor’s seat, to drop their push for a referendum aimed at increasing funds to the counties.

“Hon members, Thursday October 2, PAC will visit Mutito, Tigania East and Chepalungu constituencies to physically verify audit queries. The teams leave Nairobi Tuesday evening to return Saturday morning. Kindly but urgently indicate preference of the three places,” states a short message service sent to members of PAC.

Parliament approved the nomination of Mr Kilonzo for the appointment but President Uhuru Kenyatta is yet to make formal the appointment.

PAC plans to tour the three constituencies Thursday to verify the actual existence of the projects.

Mr Ouko, in his audit report for the 2012/13 financial year questioned the expenditure of Sh23.8 million in Chepalungu constituency, about Sh77 million in Mutito and non-completion of projects worth Sh165 million in Tigania East, among other issues.

In Chepalungu constituency, the Auditor-General questioned Mr Ruto’s retention of Sh16.3 million which included Sh5.7 million conditional grants that were still held up at the Chepalungu district treasury as at March 2014.