Officials tight-lipped after presentation of a controversial check
Kenyan U.S Ambassador, H.E. Elkanah Odembo (left, holding 'check') receives a dummy check from several members of the Diaspora Kenyans for Hungry Kenyans representing $14,000 raised by Kenyans in New England towards the hunger that was ravaging parts of Kenya in mid 2011.Leading in the check presentation was Rev. Dr. Joseph Kimatu, chairman of the fund raising committee. Pic by Moses Mathenge/Ajabu Media |
By Ajabu Africa, posted December 28, 2011
LOWELL, Mass.,_A section of the committee members in the New England region involved in raising money meant for the hungry Kenyans presented a dummy check to the Kenyan envoy to the U.S., H.E.Elkanah Odembo amid continuing controversy about accountability and delays- with no end in sight- at least yet.
The oversized check that is believed to have cost donors $120 to print was presented during the 2011 Jamhuri Day celebrations in Lowell on Sunday December 11.
Though the money was reportedly sent to the hungry, there are still lingering questions about the total amount raised and the reasons for the delay.
There is a discrepancy between the actual funds raised and the money released leaving donors to ask for an audited report.
Receipts from the receiving bank have also not yet been disclosed to the public.
More than $ 1,000 is believed to be unaccounted for.
Dr. Joseph Kimatu, fundraising committee chairman, didn’t return calls to AjabuAfrica.com while Paul Muite, one of the fund raising committee officials, declined to comment on the way they are handling public funds.
Kimatu sent a press release to the Kenyan community last November, but declined to make the audited report public. Many Kenyans have been angered by the officials’ behavior and they have questioned the murky way the funds process was handled.
Several Kenyans who donated money in the region are still calling for the audited report.
The committee however, through its chairman said that the reason for the delay to remit funds was in part, to secure a photo opportunity with the envoy as a way to showcase the effort by Kenyans in New England towards the hunger problem.
Reliable sources told Ajabuafrica.com that the officials held a closed door meeting on Wednesday last week at the Saint Stephen's church in Lowell to discuss on a way forward.
However, the officials have yet to communicate to the Kenyan community on the outcome of the meeting.
While receiving the check, the ambassador publicly asked the committee members whether the $14,000 was actually in the bank.(watch Ajabu Video below )
He also sought a clarification as to whether the accounts related to the funds drive had been subjected to an audit report.
The officials reiterated that the money had been audited.
However, Peter Mwaniki, the treasurer of the funds drive committee, has denied the allegations that the funds were audited.
It is not clear how the divided committee plans to resolve the embarrassing fiasco that has left many donors furious with the mishandling of the funds meant for urgent relief of starving fellow Kenyans.
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