The Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee has called for the immediate arrest of former Kaiti Constituency NG-CDF Account Manager Daniel Maluki as investigations into the alleged embezzlement of Ksh100 million from the 2021/2022 budget year intensify.
Appearing before the committee in a follow-up session on Monday, Maluki was pressed to explain how Ksh18,158,000 was spent on irregular allowances and Ksh81,341,700 on irregular imprest payments.
According to the Auditor-General’s report, the questionable imprest payments were made from the main NG-CDF account to three officers: the Fund Manager (Ksh34,844,700), the NG-CDF Committee Chairperson (Ksh31,736,000) and the District Treasury Cashier (Ksh14,761,000). Collectively, the three officers accounted for 66% of the irregular expenditure.
“As a Fund Manager, was it within your mandate to withdraw and pay all these monies in cash? What prompted this questionable move?” asked Lari MP Mburu Kahangara.Maluki, now a university lecturer, told MPs the money was used for public participation exercises meant to identify potential CDF and NHIF beneficiaries—an explanation that drew strong skepticism from lawmakers who questioned how such activities could consume Ksh100 million.
“It is very clear that these people colluded to withdraw this money and defraud the public,” said Meru MP Dorothy Muthoni.Committee members urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to fast-track the probe, describing the matter as a clear case of theft of public funds.
“This issue is a clear case of open theft of public funds. The relevant agencies must conclusively handle the matter and furnish Parliament with the findings,” said Muhoroni MP James Koyoo.
Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ng’elechei called for firm action against officers who misuse NG-CDF allocations.
“Such errant officers should not be walking freely among us. He should be in prison even as investigations continue, to serve as an example to others,” she said.While making his submissions, Maluki claimed the money funded 70 public participation meetings—five in each of Kaiti Constituency’s 14 locations. However, committee members rejected the explanation, arguing the expenditure was grossly inflated and demanding that all involved officers be held accountable.
“We need to hear from the DCI how far these investigations have gone, and whatever other information the manager is withholding,” said Webuye East MP Martin Pepela Wanyonyi.Committee chairperson Gideon Mulyungi directed that a joint sitting be convened involving the three officers who withdrew the funds, the DCI, CDF committee members and the District Accountant Cashier to determine the next steps in the ongoing probe.
