An audit report by the Auditor-General has revealed massive misuse of public funds meant to improve local development.
The findings show that more than Sh496 million from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) was spent on projects that were either abandoned, done poorly, or never started at all.
The money, which was supposed to help communities through better schools and other public facilities, appears to have been mismanaged in several areas.
In some cases, funds were released, but no work was done. In others, contractors were fully paid yet left the projects incomplete.
This has left many communities without the facilities they were promised, despite the huge amounts allocated.
One of the most shocking examples was in Embakasi North, where Sh55 million had been allocated to build science laboratories in five schools. However, not a single laboratory was built, and there was no evidence of any construction work being started.
In the same constituency, another Sh63.9 million was connected to school projects where either the work was substandard or there were no records to prove the projects existed.
On top of that, Sh104.7 million was transferred to other accounts without any clear explanation or documentation.
In Rongai, the report uncovered that Sh2.5 million was paid for a classroom project, but there were no supporting documents to show what was done with the money.
Even worse, part of the funds meant for construction was instead used to buy lockers, yet there were no receipts or records to confirm the purchases.
This pattern of missing documentation was common in many constituencies examined in the audit. Without proper records, it becomes almost impossible to confirm whether any work was carried out or where the funds actually went.
The audit findings paint a worrying picture about the way CDF money is managed. The fund was designed to bring development directly to the grassroots, addressing local needs like better school facilities, improved infrastructure, and community projects.
However, in many areas, the reality is that people are left with unfulfilled promises and no visible development. The lack of accountability and transparency means that millions of shillings meant to uplift communities are either wasted or misappropriated.
This situation raises serious questions about oversight and responsibility in managing public resources. Without stricter monitoring, tighter record-keeping, and proper punishment for those who misuse funds, the CDF risks becoming a source of corruption rather than a tool for development.
For now, the audit serves as another reminder of how mismanagement continues to deny citizens the benefits they are entitled to from public funds.
