Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has taken a timely action that could save him from losing Ksh500,000 as a fine to the Senate over summonses by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee.
Sonko on Monday wrote to the clerk of the Senate seeking clarification on why he had been fined by the house saying he was only required to appear before the committee on November 19 and 20, 2018.
PAC expected Governor Sonko to appear on Monday, October 19, 2018, to respond to audit queries for the 2014/15 financial year but Sonko failed to turn up for the grilling.
Through the county secretary Leboo Ole Morintat, Sonko maintained that the he had not snubbed the committee but had been sent conflicting details on the day he was expected to appear before PAC.
"The office of the Auditor General had also confirmed the dates through a letter on October 24, 2018, and we are therefore seeking clarification on the conflicting date since written response shall be ready for presentation on November 19, and 20th 2018," stated Governor Sonko in the letter to the Senate.
On August 6, Sonko sent Charles Kerich, county executive in charge of the Land docket, to answer questions raised by the Auditor General Edward Ouko.
The Senate County Public Investment Committee refused to listen to Kerich insisting that only the governor could address the issues the chief auditor had raised in the 2014/15 financial year report
PAC Chairman Senator Moses Kajwang' issued another summon for the county boss, warning of a fine should he fail to appear again.
Kajwang’ indicated that Sonko couldn't be allowed to delegate the responsibility of responding to audit questions to CECs or any other officials in his administration.
"Governors have constitutional obligation to personally appear before this committee. They cannot hide behind CECs or any other person. They must appear before in person to give an account of how they spend the funds allocated to counties," held Senator Kajwang'.
