Kericho county government is in the eye of a storm over allegations of misuse of funds meant for Londiani crash victims.
This follows the emergence of reports that out of the Sh13.6 million raised in a fundraiser, only Sh5.7 million reached the victims.
In the documents seen by the Star, 53 families that lost their relatives were each paid Sh90, 000 while 12 who got injured received ShSh60, 000.
This, according to Deputy Governor Fred Kirui and Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir who kicked up the storm indicates that the money might have been squandered.
Speaking during an event in Kericho, Chirchir who has now called for a probe into the matter said each family was supposed to get Sh215, 000.
“We are giving them until Wednesday to explain to us where the money went to. The person who was handed the money should tell us how he shared it. One person cannot embezzle money meant for the dead,” said Chirchir.
Several attempts to reach the county government for comment have been unsuccessful.
The county's communication office vowed to issue a statement today.
"We shall be giving a breakdown of how the money was utilized tomorrow (Monday)," said the official who absolved the Governor from any blame saying he is not part of the committee that handled the money.
"You know we are dealing with a committee and so we shall have them get us a complete report about the expenditures," the official added.
By the time of going to press, there was still no response with text messages and calls going unanswered.
Surprisingly, Sh3.5 million was also paid to two health facilities in the county.
Governor Eric Mutai stating that his administration will waive the hospital and mortuary charges.
During the fundraiser, Mutai made an appeal for more financial support from the national government, saying out of the 14 patients who had been hospitalised in Nakuru and Kericho hospitals, 10 will have their legs amputated and may not have their lives normal again.
"Your Excellency, most of these people used to sell along the road and their lives will not be the same again once they come back...we are requesting that you set some funds to help them," Mutai said during the fundraiser.
Kericho County Referral Hospital for example was paid Sh2 million while the Londiani sub-county hospital got Sh1.3 million.
The office of the county commissioner, Kericho deputy governor said, got an allowance of Sh300, 000 for fuel and meals while a local hotel was paid Sh100, 000.
A company which provided tents during the fundraiser was paid Sh2.9 million while another one got Sh411, 000.