Government too casual on Eurobond questions, civil society groups protest

Transparency International North Rift Programmes officer Isaiah Mwongela (centre) with representatives from other civil societies in the North Rift region during a news briefing at the TI offices at the Eldoret Catholic Cathedral on Sunday. [Photo:Ian Omondi/Standard]

A section of civil society groups in the North Rift region want Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to make public how the Eurobond monies received by the government was spent .

The civil societies under the umbrella of North Rift Good Governance Coalition, also raised concerns over the manner in which the government was handling claims of misappropriation of the said funds.

In a press briefing at the Eldoret Cathedral offices on Sunday, the coalition insisted that the government has an obligation to inform its citizens on its expenditure.

"North Rift Good Governance Coalition notes with a lot of concern the casual manner in which the government is responding to the questions raised on the expenditure of the Eurobond proceeds," noted part of the statement read on behalf of the coalition by Transparency International North Rift Programmes officer Isaiah Mwongela.

"We, the people of Kenya demand that Mr Rotich discloses the government spending on the Eurobond proceeds including breakdown of all the projects financed by this money under the ministries which allegedly received it," it added.

The groups also faulted a decision by the Finance Cabinet Secretary to invite Cord leader Raila Odinga to his office so that he can be given details on how the funds were used.

"It is very irresponsible for the CS to invite the opposition leader to his office to see the accounting of the Eurobond proceeds," noted another part of the statement.

"The CS should be reminded that this is public information and it is obligation to disclose to Kenyans the full account of any government expenditure as and when it is required," it added.