Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu is facing sanctions for failing to honour summons to appear before a Senate committee.

The former governor was expected to appear before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee on Monday, October 7, 2024, but she failed to honour the summons.

In a statement by the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the former county boss has been fined Ksh500,000.

Charity Ngilu was expected to shed light on the Kitui County Textile Center (KICOTEC) financial statements and land ownership issues.

However, after she failed to appear, the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee asked her to pay the fine and prepare to face them on a date that will be communicated.

“The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee has imposed a Ksh 500,000 fine on former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu for failing to honour summons regarding the Kitui County Textile Center (KICOTEC) financial statements and land ownership issues. The committee has issued a fresh summons for her appearance at a date to be confirmed,” the statement from the Parliament of Kenya read in part.

The committee emphasized the necessity of the former governor’s presence to resolve the issues mentioned in the audit report.

“We cannot get to the bottom of this matter without the presence of the former governor. I hereby, on behalf of the committee, resolve that we issue a fresh summons for her reappearance and fine her Ksh500,000 for her non-appearance today according to the standing orders,” Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, chairperson of the committee, remarked.

She was summoned on August 29, 2024, after the committee convened to review the company’s financial statements for fiscal years 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22.

After reviewing the Auditor General reports for the three financial years, they noted significant management and financial challenges that threatened its operations and sustainability.

“The committee hereby issues summons, pursuant to Article 125 of the Constitution and sections 18 and 20 of the Parliamentary (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017, to the former Governor of Kitui County Charity Ngilu, the former top management officials, and all officials who signed financial statements of the Kitui County Textile Center in the financial years 2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022,” the committee directed.

Official who appeared

Despite Ngilu skipping the session, the committee grilled former county Chief Officer of Trade and Investments, Justus Makau.

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina pressed Makau on the occupation of Syongila Vocational Training Centre land.

“Show us the lease agreement and purchase documents, or rather admit that you forcefully took over the land?” Senator Ledama posed.

Makau was also questioned about regular cash withdrawals from KICOTEC bank accounts by Georgina Musembi and Faith Muna, raising concerns about financial management practices.