The Mt Kenya Times 
Donya Dorris Toto Aburi, the Kisii County Women
Beneath the benevolence of power lies a web of scandal unraveling yesterday’s promises
By: Midmark Onsongo
Worth Noting:
- The victims, ironically, are the very people who cheered Donya into office. It is their unmet needs, their unlit homes, and their empty stomachs that bear the brunt of this betrayal. Imagine a farmer in Kisii, promised irrigation kits but handed a receipt instead, while funds line the pockets of invisible cartels. The euphemism of “mismanagement” here doesn’t even begin to capture the depth of despair this scandal has sown.
- NGAAF’s mission was simple: to bridge inequalities, uplift the downtrodden, and empower the silenced. Instead, it became a platform for what could only be described as legal looting. Fake groups listed as beneficiaries claimed millions, yet no community development projects materialized.
Power, they say, is a double-edged sword. Yesterday’s promises of transformation and empowerment now lie buried under the weight of corruption. Donya Dorris Toto Aburi, the Kisii County Women Representative, has found herself entangled in a web of financial impropriety, where millions meant for the vulnerable—women, youth, and marginalized groups—have allegedly been siphoned into shadowy coffers. Citizen TV’s revelations cast a glaring spotlight on a system where trust is currency and betrayal, its counterfeit
Imagine, for a moment, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), a vessel of hope designed to uplift communities, morphing into a labyrinth of ghost projects and phantom beneficiaries. It’s not just ironic; it’s a paradox. The very resources meant to bind the wounds of poverty have instead been weaponized to deepen them. Allegations of fabricated women’s groups, suspicious transactions, and glaring gaps in accountability now hang like a noose over Donya’s political career.
The 2022 election had been a turning point. Donya triumphed with over 120,000 votes, a beacon of change, ousting the then-incumbent Janet Ong’era. Yet, in the corridors of her administration, whispers grew into roars as investigators unearthed questionable dealings. Over Ksh. 52 million reportedly vanished, redirected into private accounts or funneled into ghost organizations bearing fictitious names. The names of these “beneficiaries” read more like bad fiction than genuine aid
How do leaders entrusted with the dreams of millions so casually gamble them away? The law is supposed to be blind, yet its enforcers seem conveniently deaf to the cries of justice. One wonders: Is corruption now a rite of passage in Kenyan politics? The Kisii NGAAF scandal is not just an exposé of one woman but a symbol of how deeply rot runs when oversight is reduced to a footnote.
The victims, ironically, are the very people who cheered Donya into office. It is their unmet needs, their unlit homes, their empty stomachs that bear the brunt of this betrayal. Imagine a farmer in Kisii, promised irrigation kits but handed a receipt instead, while funds line the pockets of invisible cartels. The euphemism of “mismanagement” here doesn’t even begin to capture the depth of despair this scandal has sown.
NGAAF’s mission was simple: to bridge inequalities, uplift the downtrodden, and empower the silenced. Instead, it became a platform for what could only be described as legal looting. Fake groups listed as beneficiaries claimed millions, yet no community development projects materialized. Meanwhile, Donya and her cronies allegedly basked in newfound wealth—luxury cars, private properties, and exorbitant lifestyles that defy the modest allowances of a public servant
Is this not a mockery of governance? If power corrupts, does absolute power annihilate accountability? Here lies the tragedy of Kisii: its cries drowned out by the hum of government engines ferrying stolen dreams.
One cannot ignore the irony: the NGAAF initiative, conceived to empower women, has instead showcased their exploitation at the hands of their supposed champion. It is a tale as old as time, one of wolves cloaked in sheep’s wool, where the line between service and self-service blurs.
But who will bell this cat? The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has reportedly initiated investigations. Yet, history tells us these probes often lead to legal cul-de-sacs. Kenya’s justice system, riddled with delays and loopholes, offers little solace to those wronged. Will this case be any different, or will it dissolve into the annals of forgotten scandals, where public outrage simmers briefly before being overtaken by the next big scandal?
Kisii’s scandal is not just a local matter; it is a microcosm of national decay. The funds lost here represent not just money but opportunities—schools unbuilt, clinics unequipped, and futures compromised. Donya’s office now symbolizes a betrayal so profound it shakes the very foundation of public trust.
The people of Kisii are owed more than an apology; they deserve justice. Yet, as with many such cases, justice remains an elusive dream, buried under procedural delays and political maneuvering. It begs the question: Are Kenyans perpetually doomed to suffer under the weight of a corrupt elite?
This scandal must not be allowed to fade into obscurity. Kisii’s farmers, traders, and youth deserve answers, not excuses. They deserve leaders who prioritize their needs over personal greed, who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a personal ATM.
As the investigations unfold, one hopes they lead not just to revelations but to resolutions. If Donya is found guilty, she must face the full force of the law. But more importantly, the loopholes that allowed such theft must be sealed. Kenya cannot afford to keep bleeding its future dry.
In the end, this scandal is a sobering reminder of the fragility of democracy. It shows how easily power can corrupt and how vigilant the public must be to protect its interests. Kisii’s story is one of betrayal, but it can also be one of redemption—if only the people demand it and the system delivers it.
Perhaps, as the dust settles, Kisii will rise from this debacle stronger and more united. Or perhaps it will remain yet another cautionary tale of what happens when vultures dine unchecked. The choice, as always, lies not just with the leaders but with the people who elect them.
It’s high time Kisii demanded accountability, not just for today but for generations to come. Otherwise, the cycle of scandal and silence will continue, leaving its citizens as mere spectators in the tragedy of their own governance.
This article was scripted by;
MIDMARK ONSONGO, SGS
(Socio-Geographic Scholar)
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