Sh 100M FPE funds missing

FPE FUNDS 

DECEMBER 31, 2009

BY EUGENE OMILO

A welfare association in Mombasa has opposed plans to hold demonstrations to pressurize Education minister Samson Ongeri and his PS Karega Mutahi to resign over missing Free Primary Education funds. 

The Kandwia welfare association has warned activists pointing their fingers at the two officials to hold their horses until investigations are concluded.

The association’s chairman Mutinda Muluu said it was not proper to hold demonstrations over the issue as it is not the best way to address the problem.

“Demonstrations are not proper tools for solving such problems, they only lead to death and destruction of property as happened in January last year during the post election crisis,” said Muluu.

“Omutata and his team are not magicians to know whether the minister and his PS are the real culprits over the matter even before investigations are done,” said association’s Organizing Secretary Kimanzi Kitheka. 

The two who were flanked by other officials were speaking on Wednesday evening during a press conference in a Mombasa hotel.

Their reactions come after civil activists led by Okiya Omutata gave a two week ultimatum to the minister to resign or hold demonstrations.

While releasing this year’s KCPE results on Tuesday, Prof Ongeri had appealed for patience saying investigations are underway by KACC officers to establish those involved in the scam.

Speaking separately, nominated MP Sheikh Mohammed Dor said though the minister is in charge, he should not be made to suffer because of faults made by other officers.

“We want the investigations made so that specific individuals involved in the scandal are named and punished,” said Sheikh Dor.

The scandal arises from audit queries involving sh 100 million that was part of funds meant for capacity building initiatives in the education sector feared to have squandered by some ministry officials.

ENDS.