Swaby Denies KSAMC Misusing Money: ‘Funds were Privately Raised’

Mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, says the funds distributed to party operatives last year were not from the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, KSAMC, or any other public source.

Addressing the corporation’s monthly general meeting earlier on Tuesday, Swaby said the funds were raised privately through party-led initiatives and efforts.

His comments are in response to allegations the KSAMC used public funds to support the People’s National Party, PNP, in election campaign activities.

The alleged misuse of funds was first reported by Nationwide News on January 29.

It was based on WhatsApp messages and voice notes between then PNP caretaker for Central Kingston, Lawrence Rowe and the party’s general secretary, Dr. Dayton Campbell.

The conversations included Rowe complaining to Campbell that he had only received $300,000, while other divisions had received more.

On Tuesday, Mayor Swaby said the exchange between Rowe and Campbell took place without his knowledge.

The Mayor said based on the content of the messages, he can only assume that the money referred to is the $2.7 million allocated to each of the divisions without councillors at the time.

He said the funds include a portion from the KSAMC’s Divisional Allocation Fund as well as money allocated by the Ministry of Local Development.

Mayor Swaby said Mr. Rowe “wrongfully assumed that the money he considered being spent in these divisions was for political gain”.

In a previous statement, on January 31, Mayor Swaby said municipalities do not disburse cash.

He said further that the KSAMC did not authorise or facilitate cash disbursements to any individual, and asserted that if any such transaction took place, it was not sanctioned by the corporation and did not involve public funds.