By Betty Luke
A section of youths from Isiolo’s Tigania Community have accused the community leadership of misuse of funds raised last week to support women and youth empowerment.
The event, dubbed Isiolo Tigania Community Youth and Women Empowerment funds drive that was held last Saturday, sought to economically support the two groups to start new and grow their existing sources of income for financial independence.
Led by Chairperson Jojes Mailutha, the group hit out at Chairperson Joseph Kimathi for allegedly mishandling the funds raised and claiming that all the money was spent on food.
“It saddens us that our name was used to raise the money but we have nothing to show. None of us has benefitted in any way. We fear that if there is an initiative to empower youths (in the future) we might not be locked out because our name has already been tarnished,” said Mr Mailutha.
A source who sought anonymity intimated to The Press Point that about Sh700,000 inclusive of the community members’ prior contributions was raised and a pledge of about Sh280,000 made at the event.
Although the youths claimed they were yet to be informed on how much money was raised, Mr Kimathi insisted that they held a ‘postmortem’ meeting on Monday and Tuesday where they informed the community members on the amount of money raised and how it was spent.
“I am surprised to hear them claim they were not involved while they confirmed that they were satisfied during the two meetings after the event. The youth ought to have summoned the officials instead of rushing to the media,” Mr Kimathi told The Press Point via phone.
The group accused the event organizers of allegedly doubling the price of the foodstuffs, terming it a deception aimed at benefiting a few people.
“They claimed to have bought three sacks of carrots worth Sh10,000 each while we know such is currently retailing at Sh3,500. The ‘Dania’ we saw could not exceed Sh500 but they valued it at Sh8,000,” posed youth leader Mark Lithira.
Mr Lithira reprimanded the group officials over failure to source alternative suppliers.
Another source revealed that all the money raised settled bills and that some of the suppliers were owed about Sh220,000.
It has also emerged that some of the youth were against the event as ‘they were set to hold a similar one later in the year that would accommodate all the Ameru youths living in Isiolo.
The group said they had suggested that the community hold a ‘Tigania Cultural night’ instead of a fundraiser but their advice fell on deaf ears.
According to Mr Phineas Mutwiri, the officials need to come out clearly on how the youth would benefit from the event.
“They should explain to us clearly what our share is. They used our name to raise money. Women have benefitted from the supply of the foodstuffs, what are we getting?” he posed.
The team also took issue with alleged discrimination against a young Ameru musician, Kenneth Gitonga alias Diehard who made a presentation at the event claiming he was paid a meager Sh2,000 while a veteran guest Musician bagged Sh40,000.
“He was told he was only entitled to Sh2,000 for not attending the community meetings. We wonder if the guest artist had attended the said meetings to entitle her to such payment,” another youth said.
Mr Kimathi however blamed his woes on an unnamed community member working with the County Government of Isiolo who he accused of sabotaging the community’s unity effort.
He accused the said person of misusing the youth to create a rift in the group that he (Kiamathi) had made efforts to unite.
“I wonder why he would be interested in a division. What will he gain? I hear he is now organizing a goat-eating party with the youth. What is his motive?” he posed.
He warned the youth against falling victim to selfish leaders who are only concerned about their personal interests.
