The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are poised to investigate several counties over alleged financial mismanagement, raising serious concerns about the accountability of taxpayers’ money.
Counties Under Investigation
The Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has flagged 11 counties, including:
- Tharaka Nithi
- Homa Bay
- Bomet
- Meru
- Makueni
- Wajir
- Nyeri
- Siaya
- Samburu
- Kakamega
- Murang’a
This action follows the Auditor General’s report on county executives for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, which highlighted significant financial irregularities.
Senate Committee Findings
CPAC Chair Senator Moses Kajwang voiced concerns over what he described as “fictitious” pending bills and questionable expenditures in the financial records of these counties. The committee’s scrutiny revealed alarming irregularities:
Tharaka Nithi
- Unpaid Bills: The county is under investigation for pending bills amounting to Sh439.32 million, some of which are considered ineligible.
- Irregular Fund Transfers: A questionable transfer of Sh36.94 million from a retention account to a recurrent account has triggered further inquiries, violating Public Finance Management Regulations.
- Committee Recommendations: The DCI and EACC are expected to investigate these matters, with potential legal actions against officers implicated in filing false claims or mismanaging funds.
Homa Bay
- Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund: Despite budgeting for Sh1.46 million in revenue from liquor licensing fees, the county reported zero collection, prompting questions about resource misuse.
- Undisclosed Debts: The failure to record Sh136 million in debts has drawn attention.
- Stadium and Factory Projects: The county is also under scrutiny for Sh45.16 million spent on an animal feed factory and a Sh396.78 million contract for Homa Bay Stadium construction.
- Investigative Demand: CPAC has called for a full audit of these projects and funds, urging the EACC to assess resource allocation since the establishment of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund.
Other Counties
Additional financial irregularities in counties such as Bomet, Meru, and Makueni remain under review, with specific details yet to be made public.
Senate’s Call for Accountability
The Senate’s report underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability. Recommendations include:
- Comprehensive investigations by the DCI and EACC.
- Prosecution of officers found culpable of fund diversion or false claims.
- Regular status updates to the Auditor General and Senate.
Ensuring Financial Transparency
This intensified scrutiny seeks to safeguard public funds, improve resource management, and rebuild trust in Kenya’s county governments. With investigations underway, stakeholders await actionable measures to address the rampant financial mismanagement and ensure justice for taxpayers.
