Kilifi state official arrested over theft of relief food
By Yunis Dekow |
The relief food, valued at Sh550, 200 was meant to assist families in Tana North Sub-County.
Anti-corruption detectives on Wednesday conducted a sting operation and arrested a state official attached to Kilifi County over the theft and sale of relief food.
The food, valued at Sh550, 200 was meant for flood-stricken families in Tana North Sub-County, Tana-River County.
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The officer of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said they found evidence suggesting the suspect's direct involvement in the diversion and subsequent sale of relief supplies.
The food supplies included 105 bags of rice and one bag of beans.
He was taken into custody and will be arraigned at the Garissa Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday to face charges related to theft and corruption.
Tana River was one of the counties worst affected by the El Nino rains. The floods displaced at least 10,000 people, forcing them to seek shelter in Garsen, Galole, Bura, Waldena, and Bangale.
The government intervened last December, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua flagging off 14 trucks of humanitarian aid commissioned for the affected families there. The food aid was to be distributed in Kone, Asa, Ozi, Galili, Kitere, Mwina, Chara Kone Malisa, Salama and Kilelengwani.
In a statement, the EACC pledged to ensure such the crime of stealing and reselling relief food is tamed.
“The commission remains committed to ensuring resources intended for the welfare of the people are utilised judiciously and ethically,” it said.
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