Isiolo North MP Hassan Odha has found himself on the receiving end over alleged favoritism in recent disbursement of bursaries to 70 students in Universities and colleges.
The first-time legislator has in the last one week received scathing attacks from residents online for reportedly parading youths to claim that they benefited from the Sh1.4 million bursaries whose launch was done on Jamhuri Day at Isiolo Boys High School.
While the MP said the beneficiaries were from across the seven wards, the Press Point is aware that some of them were from Isiolo South, a jurisdiction of his colleague Abdi Koropu who has never spoken in Parliament in the last three years, a blatant disregard to law.
Residents on Facebook and Whatsapp demanded that the list of beneficiaries be made public to establish whether there was fairness and transparency in the disbursement of the National Government Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF).
“We want to know who benefited from the bursaries, their home area and the money they got so that we see if the process was fair and transparent,” Abdi K. Sora wrote on Facebook while claiming that the launch event was organised for Public Relations.
Sources say most of the beneficiaries at the event, who reportedly got between Sh15, 000 and Sh20, 000 cheques, are the same ones that have been previously benefiting, some of whom are the MP’s cronies.
Further, residents wondered why the MP’s office instead of using school heads, chiefs and village elders was using student leaders to verify applicants’ details before shortlisting.
“There must be a scheme to prowl the resources or ensure they benefit his cronies because student leaders will choose their friends and overlook needability of the applicants,” a student who has applied for the bursaries thrice without success told the Press Point.
The MP is on record beseeching the youths to defend him and protect his image by telling the public that they were not ghost students as has been claimed.
“Do not remain mum because for the ill people to have their way, it takes many of us to be silent,” the MP was quoted telling the about 30 students at the recent event.
Mr Odha has also claimed that some people who were used to getting handouts from his predecessor were after him and maintained that he will ensure funds under his office are prudently used and for the intended purpose.
The MP, his handlers say, is afraid the continued complaints could jeopardize his 2022 reelection plans but who is to blame?
