EACC Sounds Alarm On NG-CDF Mismanagement Amid 67 Investigations

By Staff Writer

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has raised alarm over corruption in the management of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, revealing 67 ongoing investigations into alleged misuse of public development funds.

The anti-graft agency warned that corruption and weak accountability structures within NG-CDF management are undermining grassroots development programmes and denying communities critical projects intended to improve livelihoods and services.

Speaking during a joint forum of NG-CDF managers from Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia counties in Nakuru, the EACC Western Regional Manager Eric Ngumbi urged officials to strengthen oversight and ensure public funds are properly utilised.

In his remarks, delivered on behalf of CEO Abdi Mohamud, the Ngumbi cautioned that corruption within devolved development funds erodes public trust and defeats the objective of supporting equitable community development.

Ngumbi revealed that investigations have uncovered procurement manipulation, self-dealing and financial irregularities involving some fund managers and NG-CDF committees responsible for implementing constituency development projects.

“Some fund managers and NG-CDF committees facilitate misuse of the fund by awarding themselves contracts through proxy companies, procurement fraud, kickbacks, extortion of contractors and money laundering,” he stated.

He added that investigators have also encountered schemes involving ghost projects, inflated project costs, duplicate payments and bursaries issued to non-existent students, draining resources intended for community development initiatives.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said it is currently investigating67 cases linked to the misuse of National Government Constituencies Development Fund resources across the country, amid growing concerns over corruption and weak accountability.

Ngumbi further challenged fund managers and committee members to resist pressure or coercion from individuals seeking to influence expenditure decisions within the constituency development fund framework.

The CEO challenged the officials to always resist any undue influence or coercion by any person that could facilitate unlawful expenditure, noting that they are the ones who would personally bear the consequences.