Bungoma
By Chris Mafura and Elizabeth Wanyonyi
Bungoma County Women Representative Catherine Wambilianga is on the radar of the Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The EACC is investigating claims that Ms. Wambilianga has employed close relatives and ghost workers in his office, using office running money to pay for life insurance for her and two of his children at a local insurance company as well as manipulation of the payroll.
According to Philip Wanyonyi Wekesa, a human rights activist, who took the case to the anti-graft agency, he claimed that a total of Sh66million meant for civic education, sports, monitoring and evaluation and environmental conservation for three consecutive financial years cannot be accounted for as the events did not take place.
Mr. Wekesa said the Women Rep was supposed to spend at least Sh22 million every financial years but nothing is on the ground to show that the money was spent for the intended purpose.
He also claimed that the fencing of the Bungoma Rescue Centre did not follow procurement rules since there was single sourcing and the contract awarded to one of her relatives employed in his office, saying there are over 25 close relatives working at his office and that she manipulated the payroll to include ghost workers who benefit from the tax payers money.
Wekesa further claimed that Ms. Wambilianga has a life insurance cover for herself, the son and her daughter where she uses office running money to pay for their life cover to a tune of Sh329, 578. However, the money has been indicated as being drawn from salaries. Each of them has life cover of approximately Sh110, 000 which is paid every month.
“I have given the Eacc a total of 14 days to have the women rep prosecuted, failure to which we (Citizens for Good Governance) shall move to court to prosecute her as the right thinking members of the society,” said Mr. Wekesa.
“We will be forced to move to the court to ensure justice is served if within 14 days no arrests will have taken place. We don’t have confidence with the Eacc officers stationed in Bungoma given that they dine with people we believe have misused the tax payers money like the jericans saga,” he added.
When contacted by the County Splash, Eacc commissioner, Yassin Amaro confirmed to be in receipt of the documents implicating the Women Rep of gross misconduct, saying they have commenced investigations into the matter and that the commission will visit her office soon.
“It’s true we have received the complaints and we are following up the matter. We shall leave no stone unturned until justice is served. As a commission if we don’t deal with this matter to conclusion, the country shall forever remain poor as these people continue enriching themselves and their relatives,” said Mr. Amaro.
Amaro said they are set to question at least 20 employees working in her office that are said to be her relatives and managers of a petrol of a petrol station in Webuye town where the legislator is supposed to fuel her official government car but also fuels her trucks and private cars belonging to her using government resources.
Ms. Wambilianga when contacted declined to comment on the matter and termed at as mere propaganda.
Ends
