Unearthing of Ksh 2.85Bn Theft of Public Funds Sparks Outrage In Kenya On Social Media #GraftDiaries

It has been exactly two weeks since Kenya’s four leading TV broadcasters KTN, NTV, QTV and Citizen TV have been back on air. After being forcefully shut down by the Communication Authority of Kenya. Jointly the four broadcasters are said to command 90% of TV viewership in Kenya; they were shut down on February 14 and came back on air on March 5^th, 2015.

In that period of TV and news darkness, Kenyans had to rely on the state-owned broadcaster KBC and other less popular local broadcasters for information. Majority of Kenyans felt they were in a state of media blackout since the majority of people locally rely on TV as their primary source of information.

Starting this week, KTN, has been treating the local viewers to an eight days coverage of a damning and shocking report tabled by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The report unearths theft and misappropriation of public funds by high powered individuals in government running into a total of Ksh. 2,853,300,000 ($31,045,159.45). A significant amount of this money was withdrawn from the Kenyan Government’s accounts just days before and after the last General Election in 2013. (Related Videos: Part 1 and Part 2)

Image Credit: www.ktnkenya.tv

In a country where infrastructure, education, health services, security, job creation and many other essential social amenities are far from being adequate. The Ksh. 2,853,300,000 would have gone a long way in addressing these issues. Kenyans have taken to social media to air their reactions, hoping the Government will feel compelled to prosecute those behind this thievery, embezzlement and misappropriation of hard-earned taxpayers’ money.

The following are some of the Tweets and Facebook post made by Kenyans from different walks of life in reaction to unearthing of the Ksh. 2,853,300,000 public funds thievery:

No govt is clean but Jubilee is more corrupt #GraftDiaries

— Mathew Rotich,EGH. (@mathew_rotich) March 19, 2015

Terrorist gain entry into the country with powerful weapons through graft and we are shocked when we get attacked us #GraftDiaries

— Sakong’ Kirui (@PropertyEA) March 19, 2015

EDITORIAL CARTOON: MP’s just getting a refund through #CORRUPTION for votes they bought #GraftDiaries ~ @ndula_victor pic.twitter.com/X2pmKdO8FK

— The Star, Kenya (@TheStarKenya) March 19, 2015

Man For Himself and God For All Of Us,That’s not True,The Moment has come for Kenyans To Stand For Each Other.#GraftDiaries

— Mr Revolution (@FrankMaxNnko) March 19, 2015

#GraftDiaries I never expected anything magical from Jubilee Govt so am not disappointed let them keep BALLING “IT’S THEIR TIME TO BALL” .

— DOMINIC NDAGO (@ndagod) March 19, 2015

maybe th Govnt is planning to tak Anonymous and Chinese hackers as scapegoats on ksh 2.9 billion @icpak @ktnkenya #Graftdiaries

— Nelson May’ofNazaret (@NMayofNazaret) March 19, 2015

The level of selfishness of leaders,stealing money meant to help Kenyans. how do they sleep at night? #GraftDiaries

— Gladys Mutiso (@gladdly) March 19, 2015

KETHI KILONZO on #GraftDiaries ………Words of wisdom #GraftDiaries https://t.co/bkJupWees2 pic.twitter.com/lGfJPeoWhf

— Mick Mike (@Mmobara) March 19, 2015

You can view more tweets under the #GraftDiaries.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is an oversight committee constituted after the last general election. It was mandated to examine the accounts and reports of public investments, reports of the Auditor General on public investments and table a report on whether the affairs of public investments were done in accordance to sound financial or business principles and prudent commercial practices.

PAC in itself has also been tainted will allegation of its leaders being corrupt; allegations of bribery and coercion in order to overlook certain evidences or not table certain damning report on powerful and influential individual. To read more on allegation leveled against, PAC, follow this link.