Monthly Archives: June 2011

Fraud in the Ministry of Education

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More than 100 people, including top civil servants may face graft charges following a new forensic audit by the government revealing fraud involving Sh4.2 billion in the Education Ministry.

The Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta disclosed findings that alleged Sh4.2 billion intended for the Free Primary Education Programme (FPEP) is unaccounted for. Kenyatta, who is also the Finance Minister, handed over the audit report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director, Ndegwa Muhoro. Daily Nation website reported that, “according to Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, the officials (in the Ministry of Education) not only stole the money, but also manipulated the records to hide the theft.” On one hand, Education Minister Prof. Sam Ongeri has sided with Uhuru Kenyatta in saying, “the focus was not going to be on prosecutions alone, but also on the recovery of the money, with the real possibility that some of the assets of those found guilty may be seized”, Daily Nation reported. On the other hand, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) Director, PLO Lumumba was reported accusing Uhuru Kenyatta of “putting on a show for the World Bank…” The article goes on to read that “Lumumba said Kenya is trying to look good before the world, whereas it is not, adding that the launch and handover of the report to the CID was meant to please the World Bank officials who are in the country to inspect the projects they sponsor.”  Last year, the U.K. Department For International Development (DFID) terminated its financial support to the Ministry of Education in Kenya citing, “It is vital that U.K. aid money is being spent on its intended purpose. We could not be sure this was happening and also we have stopped direct funding to the Ministry of Education in Kenya,” following a statement made by the DFID concerning allegations that some officials in the Ministry misappropriated the fund. Prior to the statement by the DFID, Prime Minister Raila Odinga suspended Ongeri from office for a period of three months following a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers Kenya and  Internal Auditor General, which “laid credible foundations…” African Press International (API) website reported. However, President Kibaki later annulled the suspension.

In 1970, Abba Eban, an Israeli diplomat, said, “history teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.” Maybe this time the culprits involved in the scam will face the law. ‘Big and small fish’ alike all should be prosecuted, because only then will the government inch closer to recovering the lost billions and more so, toward ending the culture of impunity.

References:

How free education billions were stolen Daily Nation June 16, 2011

Heat over missing billions for schools The Standard June 14, 2011

DFID Halts Funding for Kenyan Education Ministry Devex March 16, 2010

Ministers Ongeri, Ruto suspended by PM Raila over graft: Will his action breed powerful

enemies and destroy his chances to seek presidency come 2012? African Press International February 14, 2010

 

The Migingo,Ugingo Dispute

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His Excellency the President of Kenya, Hon. Mwai Kibaki, in his speech at Nyayo Stadium, addressing the nation on the 48th Madaraka Day celebration rendered that the disputed islands of Migingo and Ugingo belong to Kenya. He was quoted saying, “I also wish to reassure all Kenyans that the islands of Migingo and Ugingo lie squarely on Kenyan territory in Lake Victoria.”

 

Capital FM website on May 1st reported that, “Ugandan Security forces operating at the two islands, both lying about 15km from the shorelines of the lake on the Kenyan side of the border have in the past defied exit orders issued by the Kenyan government.” On 3rd June 2011, allAfrica.com reported that “Ugandan authorities have told their troops to ignore President Kibaki’s statement declaring Migingo and Ugingo islands in Lake Victoria as Kenyan territory…” This has been seen as a response to Kibaki’s statement on Madaraka Day that partly read, “My Government is committed in providing security for all. We have intensified patrols along the borders to contain any forms of crimes.” The Ugandan forces in the area have further been reported to have “warned Kenyan Fishermen in and around both islands to obey their administration and expect no change of guard there.”

This has not been the first time that Kenya and Uganda have conflicted over the two islands, On March 9th 2011, Capital FM reported the American Ambassador, Michael Ranneberger saying, “There is some speculation that Kibaki’s silence on the issue is designed to embarrass Prime Minister Odinga, showing him powerless to resolve the dispute which negatively affects his ethnic Luo community.” Uganda has continuously insisted that Migingo and Ugingo islands are in their territory. The Ugandan Marine Police on both locations  have been collecting taxes from Kenyan Fishermen and even going further to harass and arbitrarily arrest the Fishermen. Kibaki has always advocated for a diplomatic solution but Wikileaks reported that the Ugandan “seizure” of Migingo Island is an emotive issue among Kenyans living around Lake Victoria, who also form the bedrock of Mr. Odinga’s political support, reported Africa Review website.httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-gNt3n8ZlU

 

Flashback to April 7th 2009 and Daily Nation website reported that “Kenya President and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni held talks over Migingo Island and agreed that the issue must not be allowed to overshadow the good relations between the two countries.” A joint communiqué was signed between the two countries the previous month.httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6EwrF7wjUM Thus, this issue should not be allowed to spill over yet again considering also that the region’s countries are having hard economic times. At all costs, both countries should seek a mutually agreeable solution that will uphold human rights and fair co-existence. The Kenyan government executives should stop holding political grudges and work as parts of one unit, purposely to move Kenya forward on the growth agenda.

 

References:

Kibaki and Museveni Agree on Migingo Daily Nation April 7th,2009

Migingo,Ugingo islands belong to Kenya, Kibaki declares The Standard June 1st,2011

Kenya’s President ‘set PM up’ in Migingo island dispute Africa Review March 9th,2011

Kibaki says Migingo, Ugingo in Kenya Capital FM June 1st,2011

Uganda to Ignore Kibaki On Islands June 3rd,2011

Kibaki ‘Set Raila Up’ in Migingo Dispute March 8th,2011