On Monday, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds issued a directive giving the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission 30 days to investigate Lamu Governor Issa Timamy.
The committee's decision came after raising concerns about irregular payments totalling Ksh23,070,000 from the Lamu County Bursary Fund.
According to the senate, the governor is accused of making the irregular payments in the 2021/22 financial year without formal applications.
Following the findings, the Committee directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter, including allegations of coercion.
Upon completion of the probe, the anti-graft commission is mandated to submit its findings to the Committee within 30 days.
The legislators initiated the investigation following a report forwarded to the senate by the Auditor-General, which alleged misappropriation in the Lamu County Bursary Fund, Lamu County Executive Housing Fund, and Lamu County Emergency Fund.
Simultaneously, the committee convened with Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu to address the Auditor-General's reports concerning the Narok County Bursary Fund, the county's Alcoholics Drinks Control Fund, Maasai Mara Support Fund, and the Narok County Revenue Fund.
Following a careful review of the Auditor-General's findings, the Committee directed the governor to rectify inaccuracies in the preparation of the Narok County Bursary Fund's financial statements and ensure the timely submission of quarterly financial reports to the Controller of Budget.
According to the lawmakers, failure by the governor to comply with the directives may result in investigations and potential prosecutions.
The senate directive to the Narok governor comes a month after Senator Ledama Ole Kina raised a red flag over the alleged misuse of public funds and abuse of office by Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu.
Ledama alleged a Nairobi-based company was irregularly awarded a Ksh1.6 Billion tender to supply earth-moving equipment for Narok County.
The Narok legislator further accused the Narok governor of delays in the release of education bursaries, a situation that he claimed had been triggered by unaccounted Ksh.451 million and unpaid dues by the County.
