- He also tore at his deputy Fred Kirui over allegations some victims had not been paid terming this as ‘populist’ politics.
- Reports had emerged that out of the Sh13.6 million raised in a fundraiser, only Sh5.7 million reached the victims.
Image: COURTESY
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai Wednesday promised legal action against anyone implicated in the embezzling of the Sh13.7 million raised for Londiani accident victims.
While addressing the press, Muati said his government had not used any single cent out of money collected to pay for tents hire, hospitality and security as claimed.
''No amount of money from the Sh13 million was used to pay for tent hire, mortuary fee, hospitality and any other expenses out of the Sh13 million,” the governor said.
He said the entire amount was meant for the 53 victims who perished in the accident and 12 who escaped with serious injuries.
The County, he maintained, had waived mortuary, medical fees, security and hospitality.
''As a community, it is a taboo to steal from the dead and his government would be the last to divert funds meant to cater for the briefed families,” said the governor.
He also tore at his deputy Fred Kirui over allegations some victims had not been paid terming this as ‘populist’ politics.
He said it was sad that he had mobilized some victims to record statements with the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) without verifying facts first.
“My deputy never raised even a single cent to the funds drive of the accident victims but he was too fast to raise money to take some victims to record statements with the DCI Kericho,” he claimed.
He explained that some victims had not been initially captured but noted that they will be factored in alongside those who had already been documented.
Mutai said there are no sacred cows on the matter and anyone found to have executed any payment that was not factored in the accident fund will not only be sent home but will also be subjected to a legal process.
Reports emerged recently that the money raised was misappropriated and that out of the Sh13.7 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.
Kirui and Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir who kicked up the storm indicated that the money might have been squandered.
They asked the governor to explain saying 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.
DCI has since confirmed that it has started probing the matter.
In the documents, Sh3.5 million was also paid to two health facilities in the county.
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.