Where is the Sh2b drought mitigation funds? Duale asks

Garissa Township Member of Parliament Aden Duale wants Treasury Cabinet Secretary and his Public Service counterpart to explain how the Sh2 billion drought mitigation funds were utilised.

The legislator has sensationally claimed that the funds were misused and embezzled.

In a statement yesterday, the outspoken MP said despite President Uhuru Kenyatta declaring drought a national disaster, corruption has ensured no cent has reached the 13 intended counties.

“The Sh2 billion meant for livestock offtake, water distribution, animal feeds and human food has not been visible in Northern Kenya,” he said.

Deterioration in the food security situation is attributed to the dismal performance of the March-May long rains season compounded by the effects of Covid-19 and poor performance of the previous short rains season.

Duale (pictured) now wants a joint statement from the Cabinet Secretaries for Treasury and Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizen Affairs and Special Programmes to provide a report on the Sh2 billion released on September 10 to support counties affected by the drought.

“Further, confirm whether the funds so far released is a supplementary appropriation under Article 223 of the Constitution and if so whether the required parliamentary approval was sought and granted within the stipulated timelines of two months as per Article 223 (2) of the Constitution,” Duale’ said in a statement.