ASALs Principal Secretary Kello Harsama has denied claims linking him to allegations of corruption and misconduct.

This comes hours after sources within the Ministry told The Standard that the PS, alongside CS Beatrice Askul and other senior officials, were accused of mismanaging funds allocated for relief food distribution under special programmes.

In an interview with the Standard, the PS termed the claims political, saying they are meant to ruin his quest for Marsabit governorship.

“Everything you have been told is a lie. That is politics. It is just a way of people using lies and misinformation to soil my good reputation. Those are just my opponents plotting to bring me down. I have been in public service for a long time,” PS Harsama said.

He has also dismissed allegations of taking 80 per cent of relief food meant for Asal counties to Marsabit, saying the region is categorized under the 23 Asal counties.

“Relief food is meant for hungry people in Asal counties. What do I stand to gain by taking food meant for the needy? There are 23 counties under the Asals programme and Marsabit qualifies for the same. So why is giving food in Marsabit an issue?” He posed.

Sources speaking on condition of anonymity have called on investigative agencies to probe the allegations, saying they have raised concerns about the integrity of the tendering process and the proper use of public funds intended for vulnerable communities.

The PS said that he had declared his interest in the north-eastern county’s politics after losing to Mahamud Ali in 2022.

President William Ruto appointed Harsama the Principal Secretary, Crops Development under the Ministry of Agriculture, before he was reassigned to the Asal Department.

In the recent Cabinet reshuffle, President William Ruto moved the Department of Special Programmes from the Ministry of EAC and ASALs to the Ministry of Public Service and Service Delivery.

According to an Executive Order by the President on March 20, Special Programmes was moved to the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital and Service Delivery under Dr Jane Imbunya.

The Treasury allocates funds for procuring relief supplies (food and non-food items) as well as cash transfers to beneficiaries of relief assistance at an estimated budget of Sh7.4 billion annually.

The department also receives relief donations from various countries, embassies, and private institutions during emergencies/disasters and drought. 

Financial assistance in the form of logistical support has also been received from USAID through the World Food Programme during the implementation of the drought relief cash transfer.