The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, on Tuesday, June 20, summoned Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o to shed more light on a Ksh53.4 million graft case.
Senators expressed their dismay as the duo failed to appear before the committee on two occasions, and even on a third instance, despite mounting pressure from all stakeholders eager to obtain an explanation regarding the alleged embezzlement of funds at the West Kano Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County.
Embu Senator Alexander Munyi Mundigi, who serves as the vice chairperson of the committee, further criticized Wahome and Nyong'o for their failure to provide any communication regarding their absence.
"The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries led by Vice Chairperson, Embu County Senator, Sen.Alexander Munyi Mundigi, has summoned the two for failing to appear before the Committee to formally respond to the Petition regarding the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) Graft Investigation of West Kano Irrigation Scheme," a statement shared by Parliament read.
In February 2023, Senators launched investigations into the case after a petitioner raised the alarm on the alleged embezzlement of funds.
The petitioner asked the committee to probe the scheme's operations, especially between 2007-2021 and accused the management of misappropriating funds meant for farmers.
“The way the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has handled the matter is causing unbearable social, economic, physical, and emotional suffering to farmers and the project beneficiaries,” the petitioner told the committee.
According to the EACC, all those found guilty will be charged with abuse of office and mismanagement of funds.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, the committee discussed and adopted the draft report and the amendments to the Livestock and Produce Theft Bill 2023.
The bill seeks to provide a framework for establishing mechanisms for preventing, combating, and eventually eradicating livestock and produce theft.
It also guides the branding of livestock and the requirement to obtain a removal permit when the animals are transported from one location to another.
