Locals want Lagdera MP probed over misuse of power in public funds management

By: Korow

GARISSA—Electorates of Lagdera constituency in Garissa county want the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)  to investigate the area Mp , Mohamed Hire  over alleged misuse of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the meddling of World Bank KDRDIP Project In Lagdera using his previllege as the local legislator.

The residents alleged  that a clique working for the area Mp are undertaking most the of the CDF projects, including close family members.

Speaking to the local press in Garissa, a section of the electorates and civil society groups led by the secretary of the Lagdera Youth Osman Abdullahi said there’s need to investigate how public funds meant to uplift and empower the common wananchi was utelised. He specifically mentioned how the drough mitigation activities that  were reportedly carried out across the constituency was rolled out.

“We want to call upon the investigative agencies to come out and conduct  scrutiny of the Constituency Development Funds especially how the 2018-2019 financial year of  the CDFwas utilized accordingly, ” Hassan stated.

He added that: “Our people are in dire need of water at this time of drought and we have not seen any meaningful projects, or rather mitigation programs: be it water tracking activities or any other help that may help the nomadic people.

“But one wonders the number of CDF contracts received by the close associates of the Mp with no value for money on the ground.”

Locals accused the area MP and the CDF manager of engaging in malpractices that allowed the siphoning of money set aside for development projects.

Kulan Post contacted the area MP for comments. He declined to pick our calls nor respond to multiple texts.

According to the civil society groups, Mr Hire interferes with formation of Community project management Committee, (CPMC) through intimidation of Relief, Reconstruction and Development Organization (RRDO) officials.

A case in point is Togduub Water pan project and Ali Sagar water tank project where the community appealed and ask for Complaint Redress from World bank.

On several interviews that Kulan post, section of resident in Lagdera constituency, decried how the MP through his cronies at RRDO and CDF office are actively involved in selection of beneficiaries groups of World Bank fund.

Mr. Hassan Geley who spoke for the  members of civil society groups in Garissa narrated how a clique of known ndividuals led by the brother of the area MP often influence the type of projects to be undertaken and location of implementation depending on how the area voted in the last polls.

“This is not something that cannot be concealed by anyone whatsoever. It is clear Mr. Hire is meddling the funds meant for the public and his close family and cronies are creating many skeleton groups in order to swindle funds. We will not allow this  misappropriation of  funds to continue in the pretext of helping the poor wananchi.” Geley noted.

He added that the civil society and the residents will write to EACC to investigate corruption, misused of CDF funds and nepotism in the management of the constituency funds.

When Kulan Post visted the local office of the CDF, the management did not provide a satisfactory explanation against the allegations, raising more questions on whether the public will get value for money.

In a letter seen by kulan Post, the MCA for Banane Mohamed Ahmed called on the country  coordinator for KDRDIP to probe the management of the projects in his ward, saying the committee that manages the affairs of the projects did not have the blessing of the area residents.