The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed that the Taita Taveta County Government spent Ksh4 million between 24 and 27 November 2022, for World War 1 celebrations.
As revealed in EACC’s 4th Quarterly Report released on Friday, February 23, the anti-corruption body kickstarted investigations after receiving reports of corruption, procurement irregularities and embezzlement of funds at the Taita Taveta County Government
The investigations revealed that although the County Government spent the sum to commemorate World War 1, it was not captured in budget estimates for the 2022/2023 Financial Year.
“Investigations further established that in respect to the World War One Event the Economic advisor and the Chief Officer of Finance applied for imprest to facilitate the commemoration of the event,” the report indicated.
“Investigations established that the Taita Taveta County utilised Ksh4 million through irregular Daily Subsistence Allowance paid to officers.”
According to the anti-corruption watchdog, for the event in question, county officials single sourced suppliers of their choice without following the laid down procurement procedures.
The County Government had a repository of registered suppliers and service providers for the 2022/2023 Financial Year which was wholly ignored during the suspected embezzlement.
In total, the sum was shared amongst nine suppliers including a fancy hotel and a commercial radio station as well as a local orchestra band.
“Investigations established that the receipts that were attached to the surrender documents were forgeries and were not actually issued by the purported entities,” EACC noted.
As a result, EACC recommended that the Office of Director of Prosecutions (ODPP) charge three top officials in the county government.
They include; the Economic Advisor to the Governor, County Secretary, and County Chief Officer in charge of Trade, Tourism and Co-operative Development.
Additionally, Members of the County Assembly are also being investigated for wasting public resources during a bonding and merry-making trip to Zanzibar.
During the trip, the MCAs spent over Ksh7 million with preliminary investigations showing that some MCAs were overpaid while others received allowances for trips they did not make.
