A section of Migori residents from Piny Oyie in Suna West sub county have expressed their dissatisfaction over expenditure of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) allocation for the county.
The residents who spoke after a fundraiser organised by Migori Woman Member of Parliament Fatuma Mohamed, claimed that the legislator has failed to convince them on the expenditure of the funds from the NGAAF docket.
The residents were particularly enraged and expressed their reservations after Ms. Mohamed left the venue hastily without addressing their burning questions over the fund’s utilisation. “She did not respond convincingly to our concerns on how the funds have so far been spent as earlier promised that she would do when she meets them on the ground”.
Philip Milama, a resident from Piny Oyie said that that unlike her predecessor Pamela Odhiambo, Fatuma had failed to single out any project implemented by NGAAF despite yearly disbursement to the NGAAF kitty. The leader had always declared of using her own funds and contributions from friends making the local people not to understand what projects NGAAF funding has been.
However, during the harambee, Fatuma had tried to bring confidence to the residents on the use of the funds by explaining herself and defending her office on the alleged misappropriation of the funds, but the crowd would not listen and became rowdy, forcing her to leave the venue hurriedly.
Milama blamed Fatuma for not using the Fund to give bursaries to needy children, adding that she has even failed to improve the livelihoods of the youth and women through grants to their groups.
He requested the woman rep to explain the relationship between NGAAF and Fatuma Foundation, which the residents claimed is boosted by funds from the NGAAF kitty.
Elizabeth Odira, on the other hand, said they have different groups which need to be supported by the NGAAF through Women Rep, which the legislator has failed to recognize.
She hit out at the Woman Rep for keeping quiet about the students who are now staying at home for lack of fees yet NGAAF is partly meant to help the vulnerable and needy students.