Bomet County Members of County Assembly (MCAs) on Monday voted to impeach three executive committee members in Prof Hillary Barchok’s government amid allegations of mismanagement of county’s public funds, gross misconduct and lack of integrity.
The decision came following a heated session with MCAs expressing their dissatisfaction with the performance and conduct of the three officials, among them Ngetich Kipkoech Erick (Roads, Public Works, and Transport), Andrew Sigei (Finance and Economic Planning) and Dr Joseph Kirui (Administration, Public Service, and Special Programs).
The impeachment motion was rabbled by Sigor ward MCA Peter Mutai and supported by among others Nathan Kibet (Kapletundo) ward and Peter Langat (Merigi). Mutai accused Ngetich of failing to implement county budget projects, mismanaging millions worth of road construction machinery, and violating financial management principles, failing to explain the utilisation of Sh195 million for county roads and Sh78 million for cross-cutting roads in this year’s fiscal year (2023-2024)
Construction machinery
He added that despite spending Sh40 million on fuel for the county construction machinery, only eight out of 25 wards have so far utilized the machinery, with most of it remaining unused for a long period of time as seconded by various MCAs and hence this indicated poor management and violation of public rights.
Sigei was on the other hand accused of failing to publish the County Fiscal Strategy Paper and the County Annual Development Plan, in violation of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012.
He was also accused of failing to ensure the county has sufficient revenue streams, leading to a consistent failure to meet the revenue targets.
Kibet told the assembly the county collected Sh157,105,283 against a budgeted Sh332,041,830 in the 2023-24 financial year. He further noted that there was illegal operation of two bank accounts in the county.
The MCAs accused Dr Kirui of failing to oversee the completion of various county infrastructure projects, the governor’s residence included and ward offices. Langat accused Kirui of failing to ensure adequate working conditions and space, payment of stipends and field allowances for county staff in Sub County and ward offices and also proper furniture.
