Ruto has not delivered harambee cash since October - Bungoma residents

DP William Ruto has not sent cash pledged during harambees in three schools in Bungoma county, the head teachers claim.

Ruto reportedly pledged donations to Milo, Sinoko and Tongaren Secondary Schools in October 2016 when he visited the institutions as chief guest.

He is said to have given some funds in cash then promised to send the balance in the various schools' accounts.

In Tongaren, Ruto gave Sh2 million in cash and promised to wire the remaining Sh1 million.

But school principal Biliah Lichuma told the Star that the money is yet to be wired to date.

"We are really under pressure from parents and the community who were present at the event and think we embezzled the funds," she said.

She said efforts to reach the DP through the assistant commissioner's office has not yielded fruit.

At Milo, Ruto reportedly pledged Sh3 million but only gave Sh1 million in cash.

The DP made a similar pledge in Sinoko Secondary, Webuye East, but also only paid Sh1 million.

"We are still hoping the DP will heed to his pledge. We have lots of pressure coming from the board of management," principal Fred Kandawala told the Star on phone.

Read: DP Ruto rushed to Kakamega to beat fundraising deadline

During that October visit, Ruto launched rural electrification in Siupla village.

But a spot check by the Star indicates that only two houses were connected. Residents said Kenya Power staff left immediately after the DP left the area.

Ruto had also pledged to give a young girl a cow and Sh1,000.

The girl's mother, Veronicah Murumba, told the Star she had been directed by the DP to pick the gifts from the county commissioner's office, but she is yet to receive them.

Ronald Jumbe, Webuye East subcounty administrator, said efforts to reach the Deputy President's office have been unsuccessful.

"I have tried all I can to have his pledges fulfilled but to no avail," he said.

The DP's communication secretary David Mugonyi has not replied to messages or picked calls on the claims since Monday.

Also read: DP William Ruto gives Sh17m in two months

Source