This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On September 5, 2019, a Sh18 million road grader was found grounded near the office of Butula Deputy County Commissioner. The machine was acquired in 2007 by then Butula MP Christine Mango at a cost of Sh18 million.
According to Mango, the grader was meant to be used in the rehabilitation of roads in the constituency at an affordable cost, generating money to buy tractors for residents' farms. However, she lost her seat in the 2007 polls, and the grader was left to rot.
Residents have petitioned investigative agencies to investigate the MPs who served after Mango, seeking answers on why the grader was grounded and the money it generated before it stalled. The current MP, Joseph Oyula, denied using CDF money to repair the grader, stating that it was not functioning when he took office.
Former MP Alfred Odhiambo, who served between 2007-2013, could not be reached for comment. His successor, Michael Onyura, said the idea of buying the grader was good but the machine was not economical, citing frequent breakdowns and expensive repairs.
