This archive report was first published on 25 July 2019.
Published on July 25, 2019, a report by Auditor-General Edward Ouko revealed that Sh2.7 billion earmarked for compensation and resettlement of displaced people after the 2007/2008 post-election violence could not be accounted for.
The funds, estimated to cost Sh20 billion, were meant to support hundreds of people who were dispossessed and rendered homeless following the violence between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.
However, a web of fraudsters comprising officials from the provincial administration and devolution, working in cahoots with crooked individuals, faked records using forged national identity cards, or duplicated names, to siphon millions of shillings.
As a result, the exercise to identify genuine displaced people was compromised, with masqueraders purporting to be dispossessed and using that tag to earn money from the government.
The violence that uprooted people from their homes was deplorable and must never recur. However, it should not be used as a basis for stealing or extorting money from the State.
Parliament is urged to critically review the compensation and resettlement process and prefer stiff sanctions if transgressions are found.
