MPs allied to the G7 alliance are planning to introduce a motion in Parliament to censure Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the Kazi kwa Vijana scandal and demand his removal from office. The notice of motion is expected to be presented tomorrow by Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale. According to standing orders, MPs can only start debating the motion after seven days, which means the earliest it can be discussed is November 2.
The G7 alliance is led by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa. It is intended to create a voting block big enough to defeat Raila and the ODM in the 2012 elections. The G7 MPs spent most of yesterday working on the wording of the proposed censure motion.
The MPs want Raila to leave office as they claim that officials in his office had unexplained sources of wealth. "We have solid evidence to show how some people have been acquiring property worth millions of shillings yet their they cannot afford the same on their salaries," said one MP.
Over the weekend the Sunday Nation revealed that the World Bank had cancelled the Sh4.3 billion loan to support the Kazi kwa Vijana project and demanded a refund of the Sh945 million disbursed so far. The money allegedly had gone to seminars, individuals, and extra salaries. The KKV was supposed to provide employment for 190,000 youth. On Sunday Ruto and Wamalwa demanded that Raila takes political responsibility and steps aside to allow investigations into the scandal.
According to a KKV programme status of implementation report obtained by the Star yesterday, Sh724 million has been disbursed to the PM's office and six line ministries. The PM's office received Sh142 million while the Water ministry received Sh150 million that was transferred to eight counties through the respective water service boards when the implementation started last June.
The Forestry ministry received Sh75 million that was transferred to eight Kenya Forestry Service Zonal Offices in eight pilot counties starting last April. The Ministry of Regional Development Authorities received Sh75 million that was transferred to eight counties starting last June. The Ministry of Roads received Sh75 million that was transferred to the eight Kenya Rural Roads Authority regional offices. “The implementation has started in the 8 counties except Mombasa. Recruitment of youth done in line with the set guidelines. All the youth are being paid through the selected Payment Service Provider,” the report reads.
The Roads Ministry received a further Sh75 million through the Kenya Urban Roads Authority. The Ministry of Environment received Sh75 million. “Funds were transferred to 8 counties through the respective district treasuries. Actual implementation has not yet started,” the report states.
Ministry of Local Government received Sh75 million with funds being transferred to the eight counties through the respective district treasuries but implementation has not yet started. But even as the anti-Raila MPs were plotting, other MPs allied to the PM were asking the six line ministers to take political responsibility over the missing Kazi kwa Vijana money.
They argued that the PM's office was only the coordinator of the programme while implementation was directly under line ministries. The ministries singled out were Local Government headed by Deputy Premier Musalia Mudavadi; Water headed by Charity Ngilu; Forestry under Noah Wekesa; Roads under Franklin Bett; Forestry and Wildlife under Dr Noah Wekesa; Environment and Mineral resources under John Michuki; and Regional Development Authorities under Fred Gumo.
According to the KKV official website, supporting ministries are listed as the Finance ministry under DPM Uhuru Kenyatta, Planning under Wycliffe Oparanya, Internal Security under George Saitoti and the PM's office. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports headed by Paul Otuoma is in charge of the Secretariat while the PM is chairman of the KKV National Steering Committee. “The Office of the Prime Minister is the supervisor and coordinator of the programme. The office does not execute projects at all. The programme was being implemented by line ministries,” said Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo.
Others present during a press conference at Parliament Buildings were Ben Washiali (Mumias), Pollins Ochieng (Nyakach), Edick Anyanga (Nyatike) and John Pesa (Migori). “If there is any blame, it is improper to direct it to the PM. Those politicians directing their wrath to PM should take the blame where it should be,” said Washiali.
The pro-Raila MPs said that the Sh972 million allegedly stolen by officials in the PM's office was used to fuel government vehicles. “This amount was actually used to fuel government vehicles which were used to supervise the projects,” said Pollins Ochieng. They said line ministers should take responsibility if any other cash was lost. The MPs argued that President Kibaki, who was in charge of the government, was not asked to step aside after the Anglo-Leasing scandal in 2006 but key ministers were forced out.
Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang separately told the Star that the World Bank report only showed that funds were directed to other functions. He said the PM was clean. “I have read the report and there is nowhere where it suggests that money has been stolen. It only says money was used in other activities it was never intended for,” said Kajwang’. He said the World Bank gave funds and wanted it used only in paying workers’ salaries.
Kajwang’ was speaking on the sidelines of a gender equity forum in Mombasa and dismissed Ruto’s calls as being in bad faith. “To suggest that Raila has stolen some funds is alarmist and a cheap way to gain short-term political mileage,” said Kajwang’. Last night the permanent secretary in the PM's office, Mohammed Isahakia denied that any money had been lost but said some monies may have been used for purposes that were not consistent with the objectives of the project or World Bank policies. "It does not necessarily mean that money is lost or stolen," said Isahakia.
Insisting that the role of the OPM in the project was overall coordination and supervision, Isahakia said relevant line ministries were responsible for implementation of the projects. "The amount that has been transferred to the OPM for its task is Sh142 million out of which, Sh54 million has been expended, not billions as alleged," he added.
He explained that the KYEP project was going on well and the World Bank had not found any issues of concerns for two of the components, which will continue as planned. "Only for Component 1, the Bank has some questions to be clarified. Resources allocated to Component 1 will be reoriented to other activities that are still intended to empower the youth. The Bank is in agreement with this. Contrary to the headlines in the Sunday Nation, the project is not cancelled. The youth is not deprived of any money which was meant for them."
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