Integrity Centre wants MCA prosecuted over bursary theft
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended the prosecution of a Nairobi ward representative, his wife and four City Hall accountants over alleged theft of bursary money meant for needy students.
Crime busters say their investigations found overwhelming evidence on the claims against Kitusuru MCA Alvin Olando Pala Pala, his wife Tabitha Saidi Luchesa, chief accountant James Momita, Elijah Mathenge, Martha Karugari and Daniel Mugo who are also accountants.
EACC wants the six to be charged with six counts related to conspiracy to divert Sh380,000 meant for bursary for needy student to Nr Talvo Ltd, a private firm owned by Luchesa, abuse of office and forgery.
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Available evidence
“After conducting investigations and analysing the available evidence, the investigations find that indeed there was an irregularity in the disbursement of the NCC 2017/18 bursary fund amounting to Sh380,000 where there is a clear indication of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption between the Kitusuru MCA, E2 (Luchesa) and E3 (Momita) whereupon funds were irregularly into the account of a private company,” reads an investigations coverage report by EACC.
The money was meant for needy students at Edmwoka Mixed Secondary School in Kangemi and Christian Women Education Centre but was diverted to Luchesa’s company reportedly through the MCA and his office.
The complaint was made to EACC on August 6, 2018 by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko who interestingly was last year paraded in court over claims of presiding a corrupt administration that has been milking City Hall treasury dry, having been charged with stealing of Sh357 million.
Ten people, including the management of Edmwoka and Christian Women Education Centre, were interrogated.
Pala Pala and his wife in their respective statements told EACC investigators that the charges against them are being maliciously framed by the governor for political reasons.
In one of the instances, Pala Pala in a letter dated July 16, 2018 asked the county to change the name of Silver Springs Education Center which had been allocated Sh75,000 for 10 students to Nr Talvo Ltd.
Further, he has been accused that he conspired with other suspects to commit an offence of corruption through approved and authorized payment of Sh380,000 against the Bursary Disbursement regulations 2016.
Momita one other had bas been accused of forging documents relating to payee instruction from the MCA’s office in favour of Luchesa’s company knowing very well that the money was meant for bursary and the company did not qualify for it.
But as they await a verdict from the Director of Public Prosecutions as to whether they will be arraigned, Olando and his wife have defended themselves, with the MCA seeking to disassociate himself from the company and the process.
