Another WFP scandal in Kenya ?

Prime Minister Raila Odinga Tuesday directed the Drought Crisis Response Centre to investigate reports that the Provincial Administration was involved in theft and sale of relief food in Northern Kenya.

The Prime Minister has also asked the Crisis Centre and the Ministry to look for ways of entrusting the distribution of relief food to relief agencies while confining the provincial administration to providing security to the agencies.

He referred the agencies to the 2004 directive in which the government directed that relief food from the WFP and the government be distributed through agencies that include religious organizations, NGOs and the Kenya Red Cross.

The order came in the light of reports of massive theft of food by members of the provincial administration.

He asked the Ministry and the crisis centre to revert to this arrangement immediately while they track down culprits who must be punished.

The PM noted that so far, there have been no complaints over food handled by the Red Cross in Northern Kenya.

Fraud

But new districts like Garba-Tulla, Laisamis and Samburu East which still rely on the provincial administration to distribute the food are experiencing problems with the handling and distribution of the relief food.

Food has not reached residents of these areas as it should because of fraud being committed by government officials.

There are complaints in Isiolo, Garba-Tulla, Samburu East and Laisamis, where the governmnent food is being handled by the provincial administration.

The PM noted that he has received reports that administrators often reduce by as much as half food meant for the hungry population and retain the portion for themselves.

Some of the food being stolen belongs to schools, even special schools like that for the deaf, children's home and orphanages, community based organizations or self help groups and internally displaced persons.

The PM said it is unacceptable that the government should spend so much money and go out begging for food to save starving people only for the same food to end in the granaries of officials who don't need it.

The PM directed the Ministry to probe reports that food ratios are reduced for institutions like schools and the school heads are still compelled to sign for the total ration.

He called for investigations into food allegedly being distributed to IDPs in Northern Kenya who do not exist in the area.