More than 130 Million Shillings for the Emyooga program is unaccounted for in Kole District.
Kole North Constituency received 500 Million Shillings which was disbursed to 16 SACCOs.
A report by Members of Parliament assessing the program shows that the funds were fraudulently withdrawn from the SACCO accounts under the authorization of the District Commercial Officer.
For instance, Kole North performing artists SACCO received only 13 Million Shillings although 30 Million Shillings had been withdrawn from their account.
Kole North local leaders SACCO received 46 Million Shillings despite 56 Million Shillings being withdrawn from their accounts.
Another Sacco, Kole North Mechanics SACCO was supposed to receive 30 Million Shillings but were given 17 Million Shillings.
The report also revealed that there were 22 cases where funds were withdrawn from the SACCO accounts through false pretence. The MPs also unearthed irregularities where funds were withdrawn in the names of the associations as indicated on the bank statements but less money remitted to the association.
Alex Jimmy Okello, the Chairperson of Kole North Women Entrepreneurship SACCO says they were able to receive their funding only after committing to give Emmanuel Okao, the Assistant District Commercial officer 500,000 Shillings.
Agnes Atim, the chairperson Okwerodot Tailor’s Association which is under Kole North Tailor’s SACCO accused the commercial officer together with their SACCO’s chairperson for swindling 970,000 Shillings from their account.
Following the complaints from the Saccos, Joseph Okello, the District Commercial Officer was arrested and later released after recording statements. His assistant Emmanuel Okao is on the run.
Samuel Opio Acuti, the Kole North MP asked the Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Leru to take disciplinary action against staff in the office of the District Commercial Officer.
Joel Ludwali Luciyamoi, the Credit Assistant at the Microfinance support centre informed the MPs that they never received any complaints of bribery and kickbacks by the district officials.
