Babu Owino Responds To Claims Of Mismanaging Ksh77 million CDF Kitty
Babu Owino, Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, has denied charges that he mismanaged a Ksh77 million bursary fund.
In a statement issued on Friday, July 4, the legislator debunked a viral social media post claiming there were bursary papers with no admission numbers and bounced checks.
Other statements in the deceptive billboard included the absence of a bursary vetting committee and charges that Auditor General Nancy Gathungu had not received acknowledgement receipts, which were acknowledged.
When asked about the situation, the outspoken MP said that it was a ruse by his political opponents to damage his character, and that Embakasi East had been cleared by the AG, Nancy Gathungu.
“More fake news from desperate and unworthy opponents. The Auditor General cleared us for having used the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) effectively,” Owino stated.
To back up his claims, the legislator submitted a copy of Gathungu’s report on the use of CDF monies in Embakasi East.
According to the report, the Auditor General approved the use of Ksh52.5 million in bursary monies allocated to Embakasi East for the Babu Owino constituency.
Notably, this was opposite to the stated Ksh77 million.
“As required by Article 229(6) of the Constitution, based on the audit procedures performed, except for the matter described in the Basis for Conclusion on Lawfulness and Effectiveness in Use of Public Resources section of my report, I confirm that nothing else has come to my attention to cause me to believe that public resources have not been applied lawfully and effectively,” the report read in part.
The Auditor General revealed that of the Ksh52.5 million, Ksh41.4 million went to secondary schools and Ksh8.05 million went to postsecondary institutions in the constituency.
The balances moved to other grants and transfers, which, according to the AG, were accounted for.
However, Gathungu confirmed one of the charges, namely the lack of a bursary screening committee during the bursary fund distribution.
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“Management did not constitute the sub-committee known as the Education Bursary, Mock Examinations and Continuous Assessment Tests Committee in contravention of Regulation 21(3) of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Regulations, 2016,” the AG stated.
A Constituency Committee is required by law to vet all applicants for bursary consideration in accordance with the Board’s criteria.
Furthermore, each constituency shall form a Sub-Committee to oversee the effective and efficient administration of education bursary programmes, mock examinations, and continuous assessment tests.
Owino has made headlines recently, with indications that he intends to run for higher office in the 2027 General Elections, most likely for the Nairobi governor seat.
Babu Owino Responds To Claims Of Mismanaging Ksh77 million CDF Kitty
