The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission should hasten investigations into graft cases affecting counties to stop runaway corruption, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has said.
Cherargei said counties must ensure full accountability and value for the money they receive to facilitate development at the grassroots level.
The senator cited delayed investigations into the payroll scam in Nandi county which lost more than Sh2 billion through irregular employment of more than 5,000 workers who have since been sacked.
“The EACC took up this matter but they have gone quite yet our people are suffering due to the diversion of resources that should have been used on development projects,” Cherargei said.
The senator who spoke in Eldoret said President William Ruto had signed the County Revenue Allocation Act under which the counties will receive Sh387.5 billion this financial year which is an increase from Sh385 billion last year.
“As this money goes to counties we want governors to ensure projects are implemented so that our people can enjoy the benefits of devolution instead of these instances where few people collude to divert public funds,” Cherargei said.
He regretted that in some counties, health services were not functional yet the devolved units receive billions of shillings for drugs and equipment.
Cherargei said county hospitals like Kapsabet Referral Hospital in Nandi was not functional due to negligence and collapse of all services.
“I visited the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and was shocked that patients live in dirty conditions with congestion inwards. Health workers do not even have gloves and drugs, the wards are smelly and even mothers are forced to deliver on the floors,” Cherargei said.
The senator said Kenyans want accountability and proper use of the billions allocated to the counties.
“That is why we are asking the EACC to speed up the pending cases on graft in counties so that those who have diverted public funds are held to account,” he said.
Cherargei also criticised the National Assembly for seeking to have the Road Maintenance Levy Fund of Sh11 billion controlled by MPs.
He said the money should be given to the counties and that all legislators should do their mandate of oversight and not be implementors of projects as is the case now.
“As legislators, we should concentrate on oversight and legislation instead of seeking to do the work that should be done by other arms of government.”
He said MPs should stop blackmail on the issue of the road maintenance levy and allow the money to go to the counties.
At the same time, he called on the counties to carry out need assessment of machines required in hospitals so that they are supported by the national government to get the equipment and also get the manpower to operate the equipment.
“We know counties are not able to buy some of the expensive equipment required in hospitals but through the pay for service programme they can be assisted to buy the equipment required so that they help Kenyans deal with chronic diseases like cancer,” Cherargei said.
He has also urged Kenyans to register with SHA to access free and quality healthcare services.
He said President Ruto and the government should be given time to fully implement some of the key projects or initiatives like SHA which would eventually benefit Kenyans.
