Embattled Education minister Sam Ongeri on Sunday maintained that he acted responsibly by re-allocating funds meant for development of infrastructure.

Addressing journalists at his Jogoo House office, Prof Ongeri denied reports that he had diverted funds meant for Free Primary Education to his community.

He accused a section of the media of carrying what he termed as “misleading reports” that he had told a funeral gathering in South Mugirango that he had diverted Free Primary Education funds to his community.

According to the clip that was aired repeatedly on one television station, Prof Ongeri told mourners in vernacular how he diverted funds meant for developing infrastructure in Nyanza Province to his own community.

In the clip, the minister said he had discovered that the bulk of infrastructure funds set aside for the province were allocated to Luo Nyanza.

He went on to state that whereas the province had received Sh1.1 billion between 2003 and 2008, the Gusii community only received Sh188 million during the same period.

This, he said, compelled him to carry out a fresh allocation to ensure that the Gusii community received more funds.

But at Sunday’s press conference, Prof Ongeri accused the media of creating the impression that he had diverted funds meant for Free Primary Education. He said he had not referred to the free learning funds during his speech at the burial.

Prof Ongeri maintained that he had only referred to infrastructure funds at the ministry, which, he maintained, had been allocated inequitably.

Asked whether he would step aside as directed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Prof Ongeri said he would remain in office as he had not received any word from the “appointing authority”, a reference to the President.