An independent audit of the “Care for the Injured” fundraiser, spearheaded by Safia Hanifa Adan, has confirmed that the initiative raised KES 31,663,580 from 35,444 donors and was managed with transparency and accountability.
The funds were directed towards supporting victims of the 2024 Finance Bill protests, including medical expenses and assistance for bereaved families, with all payments properly documented.
A financial audit conducted by Seal Associates, commissioned by Mobi-Changa Limited (M-Changa), has verified that the “Care for the Injured” fundraiser was handled with accountability, ensuring that every shilling reached its intended beneficiaries.
The fundraiser, launched to support those affected by the 2024 Finance Bill protests, attracted significant public attention and generosity, raising over KES 31 million—three times the initial target set by the organizer, Safia Hanifa Adan.
The audit report, dated September 4, 2024, stated, “We assess that this fundraiser was handled with accountability and integrity, with no payments being made without adequate documentation.” It further highlighted that Mobi-Changa Limited authenticated the identities of the fundraiser and its treasurers, who provided oversight and approval for all expenditures.
According to the audit, the funds raised supported a total of 208 individuals and families, including 146 injured persons and 62 bereaved families. The largest portion of the funds, KES 10,320,000, was allocated to bereaved families, while KES 10,126,963 was spent on medical expenses for those with injuries. An additional KES 7,767,681 supported individuals categorized as seriously injured, and KES 2,081,930 was allocated for the permanently injured.
Distribution of Funds
The report provided a detailed breakdown of the beneficiaries, noting that payments were made directly to hospitals or family members. Nairobi West Hospital Ltd was the top recipient of funds, receiving KES 5,862,734, or 19.35% of the total medical expenditures. Other hospitals that received payments included Embu Level 5 Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and St. Francis Community Hospital.
Administrative costs were kept relatively low, with Mobi-Changa Limited charging a standard platform fee of 4.25%, totaling KES 1,345,702, and a 2.5% fee for credit and debit card donations, amounting to KES 21,304. The report noted that these fees are lower than those charged by similar platforms in the region, which can go up to 10%, and globally, where fees can reach as high as 20%.
Document Verification
Seal Associates’ audit team meticulously reviewed all supporting documentation, including medical bills, affidavits, and burial permits, to ensure that the funds were correctly allocated. The report stated, “All payments were backed by thorough and verifiable documentation.” The audit found that the most common challenge was reconciling names across different documents—a frequent issue in Kenya due to variations in name presentation. However, these discrepancies were resolved through updated affidavits, ensuring that all payments were accurately matched to recipients.
Hanifa, who organized the fundraiser, expressed her gratitude and relief following the audit. In a public statement, she said, “Every single cent was used for its intended purpose, and for any extra expense, I used my own money.” She also acknowledged the emotional toll of managing the fundraiser, saying, “I will never forget how mercilessly they murdered our people who wanted better for this country… but I would do it again and again if it means taking care of our comrades.”
Recommendations and Conclusion
The audit concluded with no significant issues identified and commended the management of the fundraiser. “We advise continued engagement with the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) community to ensure that future large fundraisers benefit from high levels of due diligence and care,” the report recommended. It also suggested that Mobi-Changa consider connecting future large fundraisers to insurance companies to manage financial risks more effectively.
The “Care for the Injured” fundraiser was launched in response to the violent protests against the Finance Bill earlier this year, which led to numerous injuries and deaths.
