Orengo Responds to Ksh400 Million Nation Expose

Siaya Governor and Senior Counsel James Orengo giving his submissions at the Supreme Court on August 31, 2022
Siaya Governor, Senior Counsel James Orengo giving his submissions at the Supreme Court on August 31, 2022
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Siaya Governor James Orengo has stopped the payment of pending bills after an expose by the Daily Nation revealed erroneous withdrawal of Ksh400 million from the county coffers in the run up to the August elections.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 28, the senior counsel stated that the his administration had noted problems with the county's financial management.

He stated that his government would only allow for the payment of pending bills incurred in his predecessor's reign until an audit was done regarding their authenticity.

An image of Siaya County government offices in Siaya Town.
An image of Siaya County government offices in Siaya Town.
The Standard

"Indeed, without mincing words, the treasury in Siaya is rotten. The public is aware that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is also conducting investigations of cases of misappropriation within the County Government. That is the right thing to do and must be expedited.

"We have stopped payment of pending bills until verification and confirmation save in cases of essential services and emergencies. No procurements are being undertaken nor new contracts awarded until we are done with the application of prompt and effective interventions,' read the statement in part. 

Further, he warned county officials involved in corrupt practices adding that action will be taken against them once investigations are complete.

"This is not news. It justifies the step we have taken to carry out a thorough and comprehensive forensic audit led by a team of experts. This is the only pathway toward eradicating endemic and systemic corruption in Siaya.

"I want to assure the people of Siaya that nothing will be spared and nobody will be spared within the context of a comprehensive and decisive strategy and solution to this problem," he stated.

The response by the governor comes after, Nation reported that Ksh400 was withdrawn from the county coffers within 12 days leading to the August 9 polls.

In the Expose, Nation had detailed that part of the Ksh400 million was transferred to accounts of some county officials.

"A closer look at the documents also revealed that the Siaya County executive paid a total of Sh11,254,800 to four individuals 

All these payments were made on July 4, with three of the clerks receiving up to five payments in one day, ranging between Sh650,000 and Sh716,000," Nation reported.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Comission (EACC) Offices at Integrity centre Building in Nairobi. ‎Monday, ‎18 ‎November ‎2019.
A photo of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Offices at Integrity Centre in Nairobi taken on ‎November 18, ‎2019.
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