A mobile fundraising platform has began refunding money contributed to support an initiative set up to support teenage mothers after fraud claims were made. A Twitter thread by Shirleen Mukami had last week explained how she and a few other struggling young mothers with “absent baby daddies and unsupportive families” had come together to support each other. The tweet was widely shared in Kenya and across the continent. Kenyans then started contributing to the BABY SHOWER SISTERS initiative, raising more than $7,100. But days later, some Kenyans questioned the genuineness of the initiative after someone posted a screengrab of an online chat, of a man allegedly bragging to his friends about how he had started the fundraising initiative to buy a car. The platform, M-Changa, now says the initiative did not meet its “due diligence” and was refunding the entire amount raised. Those who contributed say they have started receiving messages stating that refunds were being processed. Some had confirmed having received full refunds by Wednesday morning, Ms Mukami has however defended the campaign, saying it was genuine.
SOURCE: BBC