Kisii Woman Rep on the spot as whistleblower reveals alleged embezzlement of NGAAF funds

The National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), which is managed by Women Representatives, is under sharp scrutiny following reports of funds misappropriation.

In Kisii County, several groups listed as beneficiaries of the fund have come forward with complaints about misappropriation of the kitty, claiming that while the funds were supposedly allocated to them on paper, they were instead siphoned into private accounts of certain individuals.

The controversy began with claims of embezzlement circulating on social media, alleging that funds intended for youth, women, and people living with disabilities in the county were misappropriated.

This was followed by the reported abduction of Justine Siocha, a former manager in the office of Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya, who later emerged as a whistleblower. Donya has denied the allegations of fund mismanagement.

 “I was released on a free bond; there was no cash bail from the police. I’ve been held from Thursday 7am to Monday at around 6pm when I was told I was free to go," Siocha told Citizen TV after her release.

He also explained how the NGAAF funds in Kisii County were allegedly misappropriated.

"I have been working in the Kisii County government office for the past two years as the office manager. According to reports, 66 women’s groups were funded, but the bona fide members of these groups never received a single cheque," said Siocha.

"The contacts and names associated with these groups are fake. For instance, the name ‘Nyanduku Mara’ is made up, with a fake number. When you try calling that number, it leads to a person named Jerotich instead."

Guided by documents obtained, Citizen TV followed the NGAAF money trail, leading us to groups that were supposed to have benefited.

Citizen TV's verification process began at Itierio Plaza Women Group in Bonchari and Masaba Youth Group in Bobasi, Sameta, Kisii County. The groups had supposedly received NGAAF funds.

"We heard rumours that the funds were released but we have never received any monies. We are wondering who could have received it," a member of the Itierio Plaza Women Group said.

“We went to the office of the Women Rep that our group was allocated Ksh.100,000 of which we didn't receive the money,” a Masaba Youth Group member added.

Igonga Market Shed, according to documents seen by Citizen TV, received Ksh.250,000, but things appear different on the ground.

"There is no such thing as Igonga Market Shed, our group is Igonga Traders Sacco and we haven't received any cash," a sacco member said.

The script was the same with Nyangiri Self Help Group and Insaraendagu in Kitutu Chache North.

The funds are managed by the office of the Woman Representative in Kisii, Dorice Donya. Citizen TV reached out for her response on the allegations of misappropriation.

 “Ni kitu ya kuchapa office of the Woman Rep. Nyinyi kama watu wa media mnajua kufanya investigation, mkiona mtu amekuja kulalamika hajapata pesa ya chama, hebu muulize chama yake iko na members wangapi na wakupee signature waliapply na sisi," she said.

"Check all those facts halafu mjue how to tackle issues. But everything me naweza waambia it’s all about politics”.

The Kisii Woman Representative claims the allegations were politically motivated but her former staffer turned whistleblower maintains that the funds were embezzled.

“So the person who gave out those documents anafaa kusema, mumewaiona documents za serikali mtaani? No! Mliona hata Omtata na Karen waliunganishwa picha unawezafikiria ni ukweli," Donya added.

“The origin of this document is from the office of the Kisii County NGAAF which is the county coordinator.  These documents can also be found in the office of the district accountant who is a signatory to the bank they are counting the NGAAF account at the account level,” Siocha retorted.

Citizen TV randomly selected a group from the batch of groups listed as having received cheques and funding. After reaching out to the officials of the group through calls, we uncovered an entirely different story.

Citizen TV sought to understand why Siocha decided to expose the anomalies at the Kisii NGAAF office.

We requested permission from Roy Sasaka Telewa, the CEO of NGAAF, to allow one Timothy Nyandusi—the NGAAF signatory in Kisii who is prominently mentioned in the financial report—to speak with us.

Nyandusi had earlier mentioned that he could not speak without authorization from his superiors.

"Tuongee na mkubwa wangu before I comment on such," Nyandusi said via phone call.

Later, the CEO shared a letter confirming that indeed they were investigating Kisii County.

The letter reads; "Upon receiving reports of potential funds misuse in Kisii County, we immediately initiated investigation into the matter. To ensure the integrity of the process, the officer involved has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigations. Should any wrong doing be confirmed the fund is committed to taking commensurate corrective measures,"

Citizen TV also inquired with the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) about the case.

“We have that complaint. It is a new complete which we just received I think a week ago or so and it's going through the analysis process. It is a new matter but once we are able to understand or clearly identify the issues we will deal with them as they are," said CEO Abdi Ahmed Mohamud.