Migori Governor Okoth Obado, was on Monday, given a seven-day ultimatum by the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee to reproduce crucial documents razed down by fire.
This comes after Obado was unable to explain his county’s expenditure blaming it on the fire.
“I want to agree with the auditor that we were not able to provide the financial statements showing how that money was used but that does not mean that the money was unlawfully spent. It was during that unfortunate fire incident that those records were destroyed,” Obado stated.
Auditor General Edward Ouko had given a disclaimer of opinion to Migori County, meaning he could not audit the county expenditure since he was not provided with the necessary financial documents needed for auditing.
The Senate committee demanded that the governor provide documents indicating how Ksh1.5 billion was spent in the 2017/2018 financial year.
According to Committee Chair, Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang’, Obado’s response was unsatisfactory, noting that he ought to have done more to address the issue.
“The response by the governor does not address the issue. It has talked about a taskforce, DCI investigation, and mitigation. What you ought to have done is break down Ksh1.5 billion that was used during that period.
“You would have said, for example, Ksh600mn was used to pay salaries; no one would doubt that salaries were paid. Ksh800mn went to the assembly, no one would doubt that but all you are talking about are generalities,” Kajwang’ retorted.
“I want to direct that you provide those documents to the Auditor General within seven days and then the auditor will submit them to this committee after they go through them,” he added.
At the same time, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina wanted to find out why it had taken Obado over a year and a half to recreate the documents.
“Can’t you call the bank to give you a list of people you pay? Can’t you call your suppliers to give you the receipts?” he posed.
Other committee members who also spoke expressed disappointment in the manner in which the governors were handling financial records, noting that they were not in touch with their county financial matters.
