Trans Nzoia residents demonstrate over misuse of public resources

Trans Nzoia county residents on Friday, March 3 held a peaceful demonstration calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the alleged misuse of public funds by the county government.

The residents are accusing the county government of excavating murram from Bondeni Primary School in Kitale and selling it to business people in Kapkoi and Chepchoina markets instead of using it to maintain feeder roads in Muungano, Kibagenge, Kongoni and Bondeni areas as had been planned earlier.

The agitated residents, led by Benson Kiteru, said they want the EACC to probe the exercise and those found culpale of selling the murram and pocketing its proceeds held accountable.

“We want EACC to investigate and prosecute a local politician and some county officials involved in the misuse of public funds in excavating and transporting the murram,” said Mr Kiteru.

They added that despite their protest, police failed to intervene and stop the sale of the public resources to individuals lamenting that excavation of the murram poses risks to the school children.

“We are disappointed that construction equipment such as graders from the county government were used to excavate the murram and transported to homes of individuals,” complained a David Malenya, a resident.

Malenya, who had led residents in a peaceful demonstration to stop the quarrying, was among the people that were attacked and injured by goons allegedly hired by a local politician involved in the sale of the murram.

Written by Ronald Kibet