Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o was forced to issue a clarification on claims that his constituency fraudulently issued millions in fraudulent tenders.
Taking to social media on Sunday, February 2, the lawmaker addressed an audit report that claimed he paid Ksh32 million to contractors for various projects in Lang’ata constituency.
According to the audit report, there were inadequacies in the implementation of various projects in Lang’ata Constituency, including the construction and rehabilitation of Kongoni Secondary School.
“Payments amounting to Ksh28,095,746 were made to a contractor on February 8, 2023, despite the performance bond for the contractor having expired on January 27, 2023,” the audit report read.
An image of Kongoni High School in January 2024
Jalang’o
The report further alleges that a new contractor was paid Ksh4,611,252, despite there being no evidence of any additional work done on any of the projects.
A physical inspection in March 2024 showed that the contractors in question had reportedly abandoned the project, raising further questions about why they were still paid.
After the details of the botched projects were brought to light on Sunday, Jalang’o issued a clarification, saying the contractors were paid after their performance bond had expired because of delays on the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF)‘s part.
While insisting there was little to be concerned about regarding funds mismanagement in the county, the Lang’ata MP also suggested there was evidence of delayed disbursement of funds since the NGCDF was taken to court by the contractors.
“Money is paid to contractors when it is available, when NGCDF was taken to court there was delayed disbursement, contractors worked finished and were paid after the contract time were expired. Nothing to be worried about,” the MP said on X, formerly Twitter.
In January 2024, Jalan’go issued an update on the Kongoni School, saying it was on the verge of completion. The MP proceeded to urge parents looking to enroll students in Junior Secondary Schools to consider the institution.
Meanwhile, the NGCDF is on the verge of extinction after the High Court declared it unconstitutional, with its operations set to cease in 2026.
Lawmakers are determined to protect the devolved fund from extinction, with one of their recent efforts being a Constitutional amendment bill aimed at entrenching the NGCDF, the Senate Oversight Fund, and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) in the Constitution.
Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Oduor when he paid a courtesy call at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington DC on May 5, 2023.
Photo
Jalang’o Mwenyewe