By Reporter
A section of members of Kisumu Maendeleo ya Wanawake (MYWK) held a peaceful protest over alleged transfer of the title deed of the organisation to individuals and mismanagement of the county office.
Similarly, the group, through the Kisumu East MYWK chairperson Agnes Nyagol, has petitioned the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch an investigation into the alleged transfer of the organisation’s title deed to individuals and other dubious activities in the office.
Similarly, the group demanded the immediate resignation of the current chair, Mrs Caren Oloo, to allow investigations into the allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the organisation’s properties.
Protests rocked Kisumu town after a section of members of the County Maendeleo ya Wanawake stormed the streets over what they termed as alleged corruption and mismanagement of the organisation’s assets by the local leadership.
During the protest, members drawn from the seven sub-counties appointed Kisumu businesswoman Mrs Pauline Akwacha as the interim chairperson and declared they will not accept Oloo in the office.
The organisation has also written to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Similarly, the members drawn from the seven sub-counties elected Akwacha to lead the outfit as they sought police to investigate and prosecute the alleged corruption at the organisation.
The group, led by Jamil Ismail, questioned the ownership of a parcel of land near Kisumu bus stage, alleging that individuals had registered the land in their names and not in the name of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake organisation.
“We demand to be told why the said parcel is allegedly registered in the names of individuals and not the organisation. This is not the practice in other counties. The assets belong to the organisation,” she said.
In the petition, Nyagol wants EACC to investigate the alleged abuse of office, professional misconduct, fraudulent misrepresentation, and possible fraud involving the irregular registration and management of land parcel No. Kisumu Municipality Block 9/119 situated within Kisumu town.
“Members of MYWK Kisumu County became concerned upon learning of irregularities surrounding the registration and management of the said parcel of land and demand investigation into the matter,” read the letter.
They also claimed unauthorised leasing of MYWK property, which the members were informed had been leased to a company known as Oragon for a period of five years at a monthly rental income of Sh300,000.
“We have learnt that only Sh150,000 was reportedly remitted to MAYAWA Sacco and that the remaining balance cannot be accounted for. The lease arrangement was entered into without the knowledge, approval and authority of MYWK members,” they wrote.
The County Chairperson, Mrs Carren Oloo, when contacted for comment, wrote: “In a meeting. Can I call back?” and by the time of going to press, she had not responded.
On Tuesday, the demonstrators also wanted to know the fate of the sewing machines allegedly secured to support women through vocational training.
One Jane Adhiambo from Nyando expressed concern over the management of the organisation and demanded a total overhaul.
“The move to register the land in individual names exposed the organisation to the risk of losing the assets and asked the police to investigate the issue and prosecute those involved in the dubious scam,” she said.
