‘PWDS’ in Kaberamaido unearth anomalies in Supply of Desks during vertical tracking

The old adage that, “never judge a book by its cover” could make more sense now at this point in time than before as the vulnerable persons take on vertical tracking exercise in Kaberamiado. In fact, the others will also believe that, “not all that glitters is gold” after the findings of the exercise in vertical tracking. PAC –U in TESO conducted a simultaneous exercise of training the vulnerable groups (PWDS) in neighbourhood assembly business in the five districts in their TESO operation area. They also prepared them for vertical tracking exercise in the services’ delivery in their sub counties where a report would then be shared with the authorities in the district but first in their neighbourhood assembly.

The day was 15^th February, on a hot Friday when the vulnerable Persons with Disability were attending the training on Neighbourhood Assemblies in Alwa Sub County Kaberamaido District. The members were excited to learn among others that issues to be discussed in their NA could sometimes emanate from their vertical tracking exercise. The Sub county chief welcomed them to the office where they were able to gather information concercing various services the Sub County was involved in. They were informed of the funds that were received in the previous financial year - 2011/12 and as well as expected for this financial year – 2012/13. In their wisdom, they decided to take on the area of education where the sub county authorities informed them that they had procured 40 desks for three schools (Oyama Eolu P/S, Oriamo P/S, Katingi P/S) at a cost of 3,398,699/= under financial year 2011/2012. A team of four members was chosen to carry out this exercise and report to the rest on their subsequent meeting.

On an agreed day 16^th/ 02/ 13, the four members committee together with the CEW-IT officials headed for the three schools that had benefited under the programme. When the team visited the first school, they noticed the supplier had signed in the visitor’s book as having delivered 12 desks which the school authorities acknowledged having received. However, on the inscription on the desk, by the supplier was “supply of 37 desks 3 seater to Alwa Sub county FY 2011/12 By Doma Eng. Works”. At this point the team was face to face with the reality of vertical tracking as the numbers were already varying as of the Sub county and the Supplier. Meanwhile, the team went on with the head count of the desks and all the 12 desks were realised.

On the visit to the second school, the team noticed that the supplier had signed to have delivered the same 12 desks similar to the first school. The Head teacher in the school consented having received them. However, this time the head count only realised four exposing eight to missing in the school. At the same time, a new and serious issue was unearthed concerning value of money. This was the fact that among the four, one of them was unpalatable for use as the top was already off yet in the same class desks delivered under SFG FY 2003/4 were still intact as if they were new.

A visit to the third school, confirmed that the supplier had signed to have delivered 18 desks which the authorities conquer with. The team went a head to count the desks and only realised 11 yet none had got spoilt or any thigh of the sort as from the reports. The desks which were made for three seater were found to be seating on average 6 small kids and 5 medium sized pupils.

All in all, the team revealed that where as the sub county authorities claim to have procured forty desks, the supply claims to have supplied 37 as from his inscription on the desk while the beneficiaries attest to  receiving forty two desks but the head count realised only thirty five of all these. The social accountability questions at this point become many but just a quick one and probably the first would be, which of these figures is the correct figure and therefore telling the truth and what the value for money in this project to the common citizen. These were part of the question to be pondered on during the NA and the dialogue at the district and the sub county. 

Accessed from email by Celestin Mugisha
CEWIT