Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata revoked the appointments of five members serving in the county’s Audit Committee on Friday.
The decision was officially communicated through the Gazette Notice dated Friday, July 17, 2024.
The members whose appointments have been revoked are Paul Mbugua Mwaura, Samuel Kuria Allan, Robinson Kiragu Ngethe, Michael Nganga Gatua, Esther Muthoni Gitumbo, and Caroline Wakairu Gathiru.
The revocation was based on the authority granted by several constitutional and legal provisions. Specifically, it was carried out in accordance with: Article 179 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which empowers the Governor to perform functions and exercise powers necessary for effective county governance.
The revocation was also in line with sections 30 (2) (a) and 31 (d) of the County Governments Act, 2012, which outline the framework for the appointment and removal of members of county committees.
Section 155 (5) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, on the other hand, relates to the oversight responsibilities of the Audit Committee in managing public finances at the county level.
The revocation went into effect immediately, as specified in the Gazette notice.
“I, Dr. Irungu Kangata, Governor, Murang’a County, revoke the appointment of— Paul Mbugua Mwaura, Samuel Kuria Allan, Robinson Kiragu Ngethe, Michael Nganga Gatua, Esther Muthoni Gitumbo, Caroline Wakairu Gathiru, as members of the Murang’a County Government Audit Committee, with immediate effect,” Kang’ata said in the Gazette notice.
This action underscores the Governor’s commitment to ensuring the integrity and accountability of the county’s financial management systems.
The notice did not specify the reasons behind the revocation, leaving room for speculation about the factors influencing this decision.
According to the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, the audit committee is tasked with the responsibility of assisting the governing body and top management in fulfilling their responsibilities for the financial reporting process, the Internal Control System, risk management, the internal and external audit process, and the government entity's process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations.
On July 4, Kang'ata was put to task to clarify his association with a former Chief Executive Committee Member who bought a house in the US, saying that the individual mentioned never served in his administration.
The Governor was responding to reports that the former official bought a Ksh257 million (USD2 million) home in Washington State in the US after fleecing money from the county.
In his statement, Kang'ata vehemently denied that he was his CEC explaining that the former Minister in question only served in the previous regime.
