Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, was compelled to address claims surrounding fraudulent tenders issued in his constituency following the release of an audit report.
On Sunday, February 2, Jalang’o took to social media to clarify the allegations that his office had paid millions of shillings to contractors for projects that were allegedly not completed or properly executed.
The audit report in question revealed that a total of sh32 million had been paid to contractors for various projects within Lang’ata constituency.
Among the findings was a claim that payments of sh28,095,746 were made to a contractor on February 8, 2023, even though their performance bond had expired on January 27, 2023.
The audit also alleged that a new contractor was paid sh4,611,252 despite a lack of evidence showing any additional work done on the projects.
A physical inspection in March 2024 reportedly found that contractors had abandoned the projects, raising further concerns about the payments.
Responding to the claims, Jalang’o explained that the payments to contractors were made after their performance bonds had expired due to delays in the disbursement of funds from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
The MP emphasized that there was no cause for alarm regarding potential mismanagement of funds, suggesting that the delays were a result of legal disputes between the NGCDF and contractors.
“Payments were made when funds were available. There were delays in disbursement because the NGCDF was taken to court by contractors.
Contractors completed their work and were paid after the contract period had expired. There is nothing to worry about,” Jalang’o said in his statement on X (formerly Twitter).
In a previous update from January 2024, the MP had provided details on the ongoing construction at Kongoni Secondary School, noting that the project was nearing completion.
He also encouraged parents to consider the school for enrolling their children in Junior Secondary Schools.
Meanwhile, the NGCDF is facing uncertainty after the High Court ruled that its operations are unconstitutional, with a deadline set for its cessation in 2026.
In response, lawmakers are working to protect the fund, with some pushing for a Constitutional amendment to safeguard the NGCDF, the Senate Oversight Fund, and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) through legal reforms.
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