Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi has said the appearance of the Vihiga County Executive before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) was not a political witch-hunt, as many take it.

Osotsi, in his statement issued during a presser on Friday, January 30, 2026, has said the Senate is currently undertaking a crash oversight programme covering all the 47 counties in accordance with Article 229 of the Constitution, which requires Parliament to scrutinise audit reports within three months of publication.

The CPAC session purely focused strictly on matters arising from the Auditor-General’s report for the 2024/25 financial year, dismissing intense public debate arising from the appearance of the Vihiga County Executive before the Senate CPAC.

“Following the ongoing intense public debate arising from the appearance of the Vihiga County Executive before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on Monday, January 26, 2026, I wish to clarify the context and purpose of the engagement and reaffirm the Senate’s constitutional oversight mandate,” Osotsi said.

Housewarming event

Regarding allegations relating to a housewarming event, Senator Osotsi said the matter did not form part of the Auditor-General’s queries under consideration.

He said the Ksh5 million house-warming matter was raised after being referenced in the County Executive’s written responses, prompting the Committee Chair to seek clarification. He said the senators sought further information on expenditure reportedly amounting to Ksh 5 million.

He said the Executive further disclosed that Ksh 44 million had been borrowed from the County Retention Fund in 2023, of which Ksh 35 million has been repaid, leaving a balance of Ksh 9 million.

Osotsi said Senators questioned the legality of the inter-borrowing and delayed repayment, leading to directives that the transaction be fully documented, justified within the law and addressed in line with public finance management frameworks.

“The matter of Ksh5 million house warming allegations did not form part of the Auditor-General’s queries under consideration,” said Osotsi.

He said the Auditor-General was further directed to conduct a follow-up audit and report back to the Committee.

Osotsi said the 2024/25 audit report was published in December 2025, making the CPAC session lawful, timely and necessary.

“This process is historic and, if mirrored by the National Assembly, will strengthen accountability and potentially enhance shareable revenue based on considered audit reports,” said Osotsi.

During the senate engagement, the County Executive explained the challenges surrounding verification and settlement of pending bills and outlined measures being undertaken to prioritise and clear outstanding obligations.

“Beyond this CPAC appearance, I have, in my capacity as Senator for Vihiga County, initiated and participated in at least 17 Senate oversight engagements since 2022 across critical service delivery sectors, among them committee visits by the Senate Health and Devolution Committees, whose recommendations were adopted by the Senate for implementation by the County Executive,” he added.

He said areas covered include health services, water provision, particularly governance of Amatsi Water Services Company, education infrastructure, trade and markets development and revenue collection systems.

He said, arising from these engagements, the Senate issued recommendations aimed at strengthening governance and financial controls, improving revenue management, prioritising completion and equipping of the hospital plaza, whose construction began in 2018, timely completion of education projects and upgrading public markets to support traders and local economic growth.

I remain committed to exercising oversight fairly, objectively and without fear or favour.

Osotsi reminded governors that the Senate oversight exists to strengthen accountability, promote prudent use of public resources and improve service delivery and not witch-hunt.

“I urge the County Executive to fully comply with CPAC directives and implement all Senate recommendations in the interest of transparency, accountability and improved outcomes for the people of Vihiga County,” he concluded.