Kole threatens to arrest politicians distributing food illegally

Kole district COVID-19 taskforce has banned separate food donation, further directing politicians to cease the exercise.

This decision was after some politicians had started distributing food to their constituents without informing the district taskforce.

Relief food donation is an attempt by government to ensure vulnerable people are ‘regularly’ eating after novel coronavirus surge has made a number of activities impossible.

Nearly all people are in lockdown, no job for them and money has become scarce for casual workers. The beneficiaries, according to government work for food [hand to mouth].  

The ban was announced on Friday during the district taskforce meeting where all members agreed that it should be dealt with promptly.

Mr Patrick Otim Oyengo revealed during the meeting that they have since established that some Members of Parliament in the district have gone ahead to distribute food in their constituencies without informing the district taskforce.

Otim says any distribution of food and non-food items by politicians is against the President’s directives on social gathering since it would lead to politicising the fight against coronavirus. This he added undermines both the district and national taskforce mandates.

Last week, Kole North Member of Parliament, Bonny Desales Okello commonly known as “Konypaco” handed over 3,000kg of fine posho to the sub- county COVID-19 taskforces. Alito, Aboke and Okwerodot sub-counties all benefitted. 

Talking to TND News correspondent, Bonny Odyek Macmoko, the LCIII chairperson Aboke sub-county confirmed that they have received kilograms of pohoso from MP Okello Bonny.

“We have not yet distributed it because there is no clear guidelines on how to distribute,” he added.

The Kole RDC, Johnan Omara Okweny who also double as the chairperson district taskforce says very soon security officials will be arresting any politicians found distributing food illegally.