NAIROBI, AUGUST 28, 2020 (CISA)-The Dialogue Reference Group (DRG) consisting of religious leaders in Kenya, have expressed dismay at the reported massive fraud on funds allocated to mitigate effects of Covid-19 in the country.
“This Dialogue Reference Group is appalled at the downward spiral of descent into the madness of uncontrolled corruption being witnessed in our nation. This trend is immoral and is contrary to the teachings of God, and we fully condemn it,” they said at a press briefing led by Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.
The leaders were speaking August 26 at Ufungamano House in Nairobi where they had gathered to commemorate ten years since the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya.
The leaders noted that the information in public arena indicates that the country has received more than 190 billion Kenya Shillings to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there has been great lack of transparency and accountability in the expenditure of these funds, which has lent credence to the accusations that most of the money has been misappropriated. It is inconceivable for us that a Kenyan can sit and plot how to steal money meant to save the lives of Kenyans!!
“The reports of corruption touching on the Covid-19 funds are a condemnation on the Executive and Parliament, who have a sworn duty to protect the lives and resources of Kenyans. We remind you that every time you abet corruption by failing to exercise your oversight mandate,” they said.
They called on President Kenyatta to cause the relevant ministries and departments to provide to the public details of all funds received through taxation, donations, grants, and loans and earmarked to the Covid-19 pandemic response.
They also called the public to be provided with detailed expenditure information on all funds and donations earmarked for Covid-19 pandemic response
The leaders further proposed publishing of the names of companies and beneficiaries of Covid-19 procurement processes, and for immediate prosecution of all persons who are implicated in the misappropriation of Covid-19 pandemic response funds.
After the press briefing, the leaders planted a commemorative tree at Ufungamano House compound to mark 10 years since the new constitution was promulgated.
Religious groups represented at the event included the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Hindu Council of Kenya, National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, Organization of African Instituted Churches, Seventh Day Adventist, Shia Asna Ashri Jamaat, and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
