What happened, Mutula Kilonzo Jr? What a scam?
This is the question Makueni residents are asking. This is the question Kenyans are asking. A multimillion platform that was launched with pomp and colour has since been classified by critics as a county scam.
In 2023, leaders led by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr launched MyMakueni App. It was a big day in Wote. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa was there. Terry Mbaika, PS Devolution, was there. Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili was there. First Lady Anita Mutula was there. FKF President Nick Mwendwa was there. Speaker Douglas Mbilu was there. CECMs were there. MCAs were there. Everyone was there.
It was presented as an all-in-one App. A super App. A game changer. A App that would bring Makueni to the world, and the world to Makueni.
It was supposed to support six big services.
One, bring the world to Wote, and Wote to the world. Makueni would be on the global map. Tourists would see Makueni. Investors would see Makueni. Youth would connect to the world.
Two, land payments and building payments. No more queues. No more brokers. Pay for land rates from your phone. Pay for building approvals from your phone. Simple. Fast. Transparent.
Three, revenue collection, add visibility and reconciliation of payments. The county would collect more revenue. Every shilling would be tracked. No more missing money. No more corruption. The system would show where money went.
Four, support application forms in digitization and automation. No more papers. No more files lost. Apply for permits online. Apply for bursaries online. Apply for jobs online.
Five, citizen engagement, Sema na Mutula Jnr. Citizens would talk directly to the Governor. They would report problems. They would ask questions. They would get answers. The Governor would be one click away.
Six, help you explore Makueni in the tourism sector. Visit Makueni's hills. Visit Makueni's rivers. Visit Makueni's culture. Visit Makueni's food. The App would be a tourist guide.
That was the promise. That was the dream. That was 2023.
Now, what happened, Mutula Kilonzo Jr? Residents say the App is dead. Residents say the App does not work. Residents say the App was a waste of money. Residents say the multimillion platform has become a county scam.
Critics say the App was launched, photos were taken, speeches were made, money was spent, and then nothing happened. They say if you try to download MyMakueni App today, you will struggle. If you try to pay land rates, you will struggle. If you try to use Sema na Mutula Jnr, you will get no answer. If you try to explore tourism, you will find nothing.
They say the county spent millions on the App. Where did the money go? Who was paid? Who built the App? Who maintains it? Why is it not working? These are the questions Makueni people want answered.
Supporters of Governor Mutula say the App was a good idea. They say digitization takes time. They say Safaricom was a partner. They say the App was meant to modernize Makueni. They say it is unfair to call it a scam. They say the Governor has done many good things in Makueni. They say the App may have challenges, but it was not a scam.
They say Mutula Kilonzo Jnr is a hardworking governor. He has built roads. He has built hospitals. He has supported water projects. He has supported youth. One App failing does not make him a scammer.
But angry residents disagree. They say, we were promised an all-in-one App. We got an all-in-nothing App. They say public money was used. Public money must be accounted for. They say the Auditor General must audit MyMakueni App. They say the EACC must investigate. They say the County Assembly must summon the Governor.
Makueni youth are especially angry. They say they were excited about MyMakueni App. They thought they would get jobs. They thought they would get opportunities. They thought Wote would become a digital city. Now, they feel betrayed. They feel used for photos.
Tourism stakeholders also ask, where is the tourism section? Makueni has beautiful places. Makueni has Kilungu Hills. Makueni has Chyulu Hills. Makueni has great culture. But the App that was supposed to promote tourism is dead. How will tourists find Makueni?
Land owners also ask, where is the land payment system? They still queue at county offices. They still pay manually. They still face brokers. The App that was supposed to end corruption in land payments is not working.
Political analysts say this story is damaging to Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. He is seen as a clean leader. He is seen as a son of the late Mutula Kilonzo, a respected leader. He is seen as a future national leader. But if MyMakueni App is seen as a scam, his reputation will suffer.
They say the Governor must come out and explain. He must tell Makueni people what happened to MyMakueni App. How much was spent? Who was paid? Is the App still active? Will it be revived? Or was it a scam?
Kenyans online are reacting. Some say, MyMakueni App is a county scam. Another white elephant project. Another way to eat public money. Shame.
Others say, Safaricom CEO was there. Does that mean Safaricom was part of the scam? Or was Safaricom just a guest? Safaricom must also explain its role.
Others say, let us audit all county Apps in Kenya. From Makueni to Nairobi to Mombasa. Billions have been spent on Apps that do not work.
For now, MyMakueni App remains a mystery. Launched in 2023 with big leaders. Promised six big services. Now classified by critics as a county scam.
What happened, Mutula Kilonzo Jr? Makueni is waiting for answers.
What do you think? Was MyMakueni App a scam or a good idea that failed? Drop your opinion in the comments. Be respectful. Share this story. Makueni must get answers.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HzCu7MxZS/
Leave a Reply