The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested an assistant County Commissioner from Tana River County, for stealing and reselling relief food.
The Ganze sub-county official allegedly stole relief food donated towards helping the needy people in the area and sold it to Tana-River residents.
EACC revealed that the relief food donated to help the sick, jobless, elderly and other vulnerable residents, was part of the national government’s relief distribution program.
The donation, valued at Ksh550,200, is yet to be recovered, as the commission is working towards esablishing how much of it had been sold.
EACC has launched an investigation to uncover facts surrounding the incident and affirm whether the official carried out the deed alone or in collaboration with other officials.
The assistant commissioner will be arraigned on Thursday, February 1.
This comes after Kitui county MPs criticised East Africa Community, Arid and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza, noting that it was humiliating for her to focus on relief food distribution instead of lobbying for development in semi-arid regions affected by drought.
“We need to see the cabinet secretary lobbying for water projects for the semi-arid Ukambani region, roads, high-level health facilities and jobs for our people but not this belittling relief food thing,” Kitui woman representative Irene Kasalu noted.
Under the relief program, the government on January 24, distributed food to Mavoko constituency residents, where each beneficiary received 2kgs of beans and rice.
The government in December last year issued a warning to people handling relief food supplies, stating that they would be held accountable for any inconsistencies reported in distribution.
Garissa residents in December raised concerns after failing to receive relief food distributed by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua meant to feed over 20,000 people affected by floods caused by the El Nino rains.
