Residents of Bonchari Constituency, Kisii County, are demanding answers. A shocking video shows Charles Onchoke’s assistant, Lameck Kebeya, openly handing out money inside Nyangena Catholic Church during a Sunday mass.
Outraged locals have petitioned the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the source of the cash. Was it public money?
Did it come from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF)? The scandal has raised serious concerns about mismanagement and possible corruption.
Bonchari MP Under Fire as Cash Handout Sparks NG-CDF Corruption Concerns
Bonchari MP Charles Onchoke is under pressure to account for financial dealings in his constituency.
The recent incident at Nyangena Catholic Church has intensified scrutiny over the handling of NG-CDF funds.
Witnesses say Kebeya stood near the church entrance, handing out large bundles of cash to congregants exiting the service.
Onchoke’s eldest brother, Guto Onchoke, was present, ensuring that each recipient received money only once.
This blatant act has fueled allegations of election bribery and financial misconduct. The residents argue that if the money came from NG-CDF, it was illegally used for political gain rather than community development.
The controversy follows the abrupt resignation of NG-CDF chair Johnson Nyakina. He quit after accusing committee officials of flouting government procedures and mismanaging public funds.
Nyakina’s resignation raised red flags, and now, this latest scandal only deepens suspicions.
Calls for Investigation Intensify
Bonchari Citizens’ Council, a professional advocacy group, has taken up the fight. JB Momanyi, a former banker at Kenya Commercial Bank and a council member, has publicly demanded transparency. “Whose money was being given out inside a church? The public deserves answers,” he insisted.
The scandal has also drawn the attention of Bonchari’s diaspora. Oroo Oyioka, a Kenyan living in Arkansas, USA, expressed disgust.
“Did this really happen? This is a disgrace, primitive, and an insult to the dignity of our people,” he stated.
Bernard Marasa, a pharmaceutical scientist based in Washington, DC, echoed similar outrage, calling for a full investigation.
Despite growing calls for accountability, Onchoke remains silent. Attempts by the Weekly Citizen to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, his PA, Kebeya, remains defiant. In a Facebook post, he mocked critics and hinted at returning with more money next Sunday.
EACC Urged to Act Swiftly
Residents now want EACC to probe whether NG-CDF funds were misused. If taxpayer money was illegally distributed as cash handouts, it would be a serious violation of the law.
The scandal also raises broader questions about financial accountability within NG-CDF management.
With mounting evidence, including video footage of the cash handout, pressure is increasing for authorities to act.
If no action is taken, it could set a dangerous precedent where public funds are funneled into political campaigns instead of serving development needs.
The people of Bonchari deserve transparency. The ball is now in the EACC’s court. Will they launch a full investigation into the Bonchari NG-CDF scandal, or will this blatant act of financial misconduct be swept under the rug?
