Isiolo Human Rights’ defenders have criticized county government over skewed management of funds set aside for addressing challenges facing residents in the covid-19 pandemic and distribution of relief food.
Isiolo Human Rights’ defender, Ibrahim Waqo said that distribution of relief food by the County government was questionable since some officers in the administration and their relatives were the major beneficiaries.
Waqo, who was accompanied by a retired civil servant who is the Chairman of the retirees, Abdullahi Shalo said that during relief distribution in various slums in Isiolo some deserving people missed out and the number of the beneficiaries should be reviewed upwards.
He said the government should avoid giving relief food to beneficiaries and instead be given money through M-Pesa so they can buy cheap foods of their choice.
Waqo said that the Sh. 40 million which was allocated to mitigate Covid-19 challenges in the area ought to be accounted for and urged members of County Assembly to always be keen on any expenditure meant for projects aimed at helping wananchi.
He pointed out that if properly used the money could also be used in feeding Covid-19 patients at Isiolo county referral hospital and those already in quarantine centres.
The human rights defender appealed to the Members of the County Assembly to ensure monies are not diverted by the administration especially at this time when the end of current financial year is fast approaching.
The activist commended the national government for introducing the cash transfer through which the elderly and orphans benefitted and urged the county to do the same.
Waqo further accused the County Assembly of failing to stick to their responsibility of passing supplementary budgets without any coercion from the executive.
By Abduba Mamo
