Philanthropist and police officer Sammy Ondimu has responded to claims surrounding the handling of funds raised for John Onkendi, the Kisii boy who captured the attention of Kenyans in 2018 due to his remarkable football knowledge and admiration for Radio Maisha.
The controversy resurfaced after allegations emerged online claiming that as much as Ksh2.3 million had been raised for Onkendi and that questions remained over how the money was utilized.
In a detailed response shared online on August 16, Ondimu dismissed the claims, insisting that the amount raised through the Standard Group appeal was Ksh725,869, not the figures currently circulating on social media.
“There are allegations going around that I received Ksh2.3 million to build a home for the Onkendi family. That is not true, and I feel it is important to set the record straight,” said Ondimu.
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According to a 2018 letter from Radio Maisha that Ondimu shared, the total amount raised during the John Onkendi Radio Maisha funds drive stood at Ksh725,869.
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The letter tasked Ondimu with overseeing the utilization of the funds to benefit the family.
Ondimu said the money was intended for several projects, including acquiring land, constructing a house, furnishing it, supporting the children’s education and addressing other needs affecting the family.
He explained that after assessing land prices in Suneka, he opted to purchase a plot in Bomariba, about four kilometres away, where he says he built a semi-permanent house for the family.
For those familiar with Kisii, Ondimu said, acquiring a suitable plot in Suneka with the available resources would have been challenging.
He maintained that apart from building the house, the project included fencing the property, furnishing the home and supporting the education of members of the family.
“I bought a plot in Bomariba, fenced it properly and put up a semi-permanent house. I furnished the home and also paid school fees for Onkendi’s brother who was joining Form One,” he said.
Photos shared by Sammy Ondimu show a completed house standing on the property as well as an external toilet structure.
The philanthropist further said he regularly updated Kenyans on the progress of the project and at one point visited the site alongside family members and supporters while documenting the development.
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He said the house and all the items purchased for the family were eventually handed over officially.
Sammy Ondimu’s Claims
However, Ondimu claimed the family later abandoned the home and sold several household items that had been provided.
“Sadly, about two months later, I learned that the family had deserted the home and most of the things inside had been sold, including the doors, sofa set, beds, beddings and kitchen utensils,” he alleged.
The officer further claimed that efforts to support the education of the children did not yield the intended results, alleging that some beneficiaries later dropped out of school despite school fees having been paid.
He also revealed that he personally contributed money beyond the donations to support the family’s educational needs.
Ondimu expressed concern over what he termed as changing narratives regarding the amount raised.
“At one point, the claim was that we received Ksh7 million. Now we are hearing Ksh2.3 million. I have also heard other figures being mentioned,” he said.
The philanthropist called on bloggers and interested parties to visit the Bomariba property and establish the facts for themselves.
“What I am asking the Gusii bloggers and anyone interested in this story is simple: take him to Bomariba and let him show you the place. Go and see the home for yourselves,” he said.
Ondimu maintained that he accounted for the funds entrusted to him and completed the assignment before formally handing over the property and other support provided to the family.
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