DP William Ruto orders scrutiny of audit report

Deputy President William Ruto in Siakago Deputy President William Ruto admires melons grown by irrigation when he opened the Kathiga Gacheru Marketing and Grading Shed in Siakago Embu County. He is with the county's Governor Martin Wambora (right) and Senator Lenny Kivuti. PICTURE REBECCA NDUKU/DPPS

EMBU: The Government has ordered for reconciliation of documents used by the Auditor General in exposing misuse of public funds and the ones in possession of State officials opposing the report to establish if money was lost.

Deputy President William Ruto asserted the Government was committed to winning the war against graft but said concerns raised by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and the Council of Governors need to be considered.

He took cognisance of Mr Rotich and the governors' assertions that the audit report contained errors.

"Corruption is perpetuated both by Government officials and the private sector hence all must be involved in wiping it out," said Mr Ruto.

He was speaking at Siakago Stadium in Embu County where he launched the Kenya Cereals Enhancement Programme before proceeding to Kangaru to hand over agricultural markets to the Embu County Government yesterday.

He was accompanied by Embu Governor Martin Wambora, Senator Lenny Kivuti, County Woman Representative Rose Mitaru, MPs Muriuki Njagagua (Mbeere North), John Muchiri (Manyatta), Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes) and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi among other leaders.

CORRUPT OFFICIALS

Earlier, Mr Wambora had warned against condemning an entire government because of the action of a few corrupt officials and said everyone should carry their cross if found to have stolen public money.

"We should wait for the Auditor General's report to be discussed by the county assemblies. MPs must let the people in charge do their work. You can't condemn every official in a county government that they are corrupt," said Wambora.

The DP further announced that the Government will this financial year increase free primary and secondary education kitty by 30 per cent to enable more children to benefit.

He said the Government desired to see every child study up to Form Four without any hindrance and would also pay their exam fee.

He cautioned officials against stealing from the free education fund, warning that those caught would be jailed.

Ruto said the Government was setting up more technical institutes in constituencies to take care of Form Four leavers who fail to join universities.

He said the Kenya Cereals Enhancement Programme would benefit some 100,000 farmers in eight counties in its initial phase through building their capacity to produce more by giving them inputs then helping them access market.