Silverio Omari
The National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), managed by Women Representatives, is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of funds mismanagement.
In Kisii County, multiple groups listed as beneficiaries of the fund have come forward, claiming that while the funds were officially allocated to them, they were instead redirected into private accounts of certain individuals. The controversy began with social media claims of embezzlement, accusing officials of misappropriating funds meant for youth, women, and people with disabilities in the county.
The situation intensified with the reported abduction of Justine Siocha, a former manager in the office of Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya. Siocha later emerged as a whistleblower, detailing how the funds were allegedly misused. Donya, however, has denied any wrongdoing. “I was released on a free bond; there was no cash bail. I was held from Thursday 7 am until Monday, when I was told I was free to go,” Siocha told Citizen TV after his release.
Siocha, who worked in the Kisii County government office for two years, explained that although 66 women’s groups were supposedly funded, the actual members never received any of the funds. “The groups listed had fake contacts and names,” he said. For instance, a group called ‘Nyanduku Mara’ was found to have a fake phone number that led to a person named Jerotich.
Citizen TV investigated the claims and traced the alleged misuse of funds, speaking with groups like Itierio Plaza Women Group and Masaba Youth Group in Kisii. Both groups had supposedly received NGAAF funds but claimed they never received any money. “We were told our group was allocated Ksh. 100,000, but we never saw it,” a member of the Masaba Youth Group said.
The situation was similar for Igonga Market Shed, which according to documents, was allocated Ksh. 250,000, but its members denied receiving any funds. Other groups, like Nyangiri Self Help Group and Insaraendagu in Kitutu Chache North, also reported no funds received despite being listed as beneficiaries.
Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya responded to the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated. “You in the media know how to investigate. If someone complains that they haven’t received money, ask for their group’s members and signatures to verify,” Donya stated. She further questioned the legitimacy of the documents, claiming they were fabricated for political reasons.
However, Siocha maintained that the documents were authentic and came from the Kisii County NGAAF office, where he worked. Citizen TV also reached out to Roy Sasaka Telewa, CEO of NGAAF, who confirmed that an investigation had been initiated in Kisii County. “Upon receiving reports of potential misuse, we immediately launched an investigation. The officer involved has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation,” a letter from the CEO stated.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has also acknowledged receiving the complaint and is in the process of analyzing it. “We’ve just received this complaint, and we are currently analyzing it. Once the issues are identified, we will take appropriate action,” said EACC CEO Abdi Ahmed Mohamud
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