Several county governors will now be mandated to appear before the Senate Oversight Committee, following an Auditor General report that highlights the mismanagement of funds.
According to the 2022-2023 audit report from the office headed by Nancy Gathungu, governors have been misusing taxpayer funds by engaging in procurement for non-existent projects and violating procurement laws.
Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti will be required to address a case concerning the construction of a 12-storey building valued at Ksh399 million.
As per the report, the Auditor General estimated the project's cost at Ksh230 million, indicating a questionable loss of Ksh169 million allocated to the project.
Gathungu further highlighted Ksh100 million in payment to loans and SACCOs and an additional Ksh178 million for payment of pensions.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has in the past faced several Senate summons, ie yet again to answer for mismanagement of millions of shillings.
In the report, Gathungu noted that Mwangaza made payments amounting to Ksh276 million for ineligible pending bills and irregularly disbursed allowances to doctors, totalling Ksh126 million.
Also implicated in the findings is Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, concerning the irregular use of frameworks and procurement of various supplies and projects in the county.
Gathungu highlighted that Cheboi procured medical supplies worth Ksh218 million without any corresponding report. Additionally, the governor's team faces scrutiny for purchasing motor vehicles amounting to Ksh120 million and unauthorized expenditure of Ksh21 million on electricity.
Moreover, the Governor, affiliated with the UDA Party and the first incumbent, sanctioned the procurement of services from a law firm, which appears irregular according to the AG's investigation.
Moses Ndirangu, who heads Nyandarua County, will be joining his counterparts in responding to the charges outlined in the report. The audit found him responsible for the construction of a perimeter wall valued at Ksh23 million, delayed projects amounting to Ksh96 million, and questionable projects totalling Ksh48 million.
Gathongo further questioned a Ksh5 million paid to the Council of Governors from Nyandarua County, which she termes as irregular.
The four governors are set to appear before the Senate Oversight Committee at a later date, to answer to the report findings.
