Kinoti probes 20 city MCAs over bursary scandal
Eric Wainaina and David Ndolo
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are closing in on 20 ward representatives from Nairobi County, who are said to have used their positions to siphon millions of shilling meant for bursary for needy students.
The MCAs, who interestingly are supposed to play oversight role on the Executive to ensure prudent management of funds, are said to have used some members of their families, their proxies and non-existent education centres to divert the cash which has been allocated to specific schools.
Yesterday, DCI boss George Kinoti, who is in the United States for a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) training told People Daily that his team is in the process of summoning the MCAs as they seek to crack open what he described as “citadel of corruption” at City Hall.
“City Hall has become the citadel of corruption and impunity which we are determined to wipe out. We are in the process of summoning those implicated to record statements that are part of our investigations. The corruption there (City Hall) is massive and alarming,” the DCI said.
In a letter dated March 19, 2019 to the principal of Sengani Secondary School in Tala, Matungulu, Ms Eunice M Maingi, on behalf of Kinoti says they are investigating claims of some Nairobi county officials colluding with members of the public to steal money meant for the bursary.
“It is alleged that some officers of Nairobi City County government in conspiracy with other members of the public stole funds meant for bursary allocation issued by Nairobi city county government. It is on record that some students in your school are beneficiaries of the said bursary allocation,” the letter reads in part.
Similar letters were written to Makuyu Boys Secondary School and Kariti Secondary School both in Murang’a and General Mulinge High School (Machakos).
Interestingly, all the schools approached by DCI denied knowledge of the students claimed to have received the bursaries and neither did the institutions get any money.
“Kindly note that the school did not receive the said cheque,” a letter from AIC Sengani Girls High School , signed by school principal Stella Wambua says.
Those implicated in the scandal include Karen MCA David Mberia’s Personal Assistant Francis Odhiambo Ouma, who is also the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairman in the ward, Queenstar Adhiambo Ouma and Nancy Nasimiyu.
The three have already been charged with obtaining bursary monies through Kobudho Education Centre which is said to have also been used as a cash cow by several MCAs where several cheques were written from the non-existent institution to MCAs and their families.
Though the matter has been pending in court pending determinations, detectives have been probing more leads that have implicated more suspects including some MCAs who are now on their radar.
Among those being investigated is Kitisuru Ward Rep Alvin Olando Pala Pala, James Momita who is the accountant and officer in-charge of bursaries in the county and Tabitha Saidi Luchesa, who is said to be Olando’s wife.
The three are being investigated for claims of conspiracy to defraud, stealing of cheque leafs and attempt to obtain money through false pretences whereby they were changing the cheques payees to reflect names of their relatives or their own banks accounts and later withdrawing it.
Diversion of bursary funds into individuals’ pockets was first raised by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko last year leading to a fall out between him and then Education CEC Janet Ouko.
Sources close to the County Assembly says the issue of the bursary could be the main reason why MCAs have ganged up against Sonko for allegedly exposing them.
Among companies being investigated is Nr Talvo Limited which is said to be associated with Olando, Christian Women Education Centre and Edmwoka Mixed Secondary School among others.
Yesterday, Olando defended himself on allegations and asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and DCI to investigate all alleged fraud, adding that he is ready to appear before Budget, Education Committee to clear his name.
But according to EACC, after obtaining the bursaries cheques, the suspects would return cheques citing various reasons, including errors in them and the beneficiaries or amounts.
To expedite corrections on the abnormalities, the MCAs wrote formal communications to the Education department at City Hall requesting for ratification and provide names of their proxies and their preferred centres.
In one of the instances, Pala Pala in a letter dated July 16, 2018 asked the county to change the name of Silver Springs Education Centre which had been allocated Sh75,000 for 10 students to Nr Talvo Limited.
