Former MP Ongoro, 18 others to face EACC over Sh48.9m ghost school project
By Zadock Angira, October 25, 2019
Former Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro and 18 other suspects are set to be grilled by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over a ghost project that cost taxpayers Sh48.9 million.
EACC on Thursday said they had already arrested former District Development Officer Kefa Omanga Omoi and former Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) committee member Jecinta Akoth Opondi.
The anti-graft agency chief executive Twalib Mbarak said the amount was paid to businesspeople and five entities for a non-existent Kasarani Girls High School. He added that the money was paid out in a fraudulent procurement process.
The beneficiaries were all associated with the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) patron and committee members, according to EACC.
“The commission established that the award of the contract for the construction of the school was made without due regard to the procurement laws and that payments were made to different individuals and companies associated to the NG-CDF patron and committee members for services not rendered,” he said.
EACC said 21 suspects will face nine charges including misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office, conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property, engaging in a project without prior planning, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
The suspects expected to present themselves to the Integrity Centre include Pamela Mudha (former CDF committee member), Mwalim Rashid Mrafi (former CDF fund manager), Ruth Kanini Katonyi (former Kasarani District Development Officer), Silvan Onyango (former CDF committee member), Nashon Odongo (former provincial accountant, Nairobi), and Claperton Ouda (former CDF committee member).
Others are Douglas Parshet (former CDF Manager), Vitalis Obunga Ogingo (former Regional Accountant, Nairobi.) and nine businessmen Ferdinand Masha Kenga, Maricius Otieno, Peter Aming, Maurice Orongo, William Ogotu Weda, James Juma Ochieng, Peter Ongeyo, Charles Owino, John Obonyo Owinga and James Miruka Dola.