Governors summoned over audit queries
By Hillary Mageka, April 30, 2021
Hillary Mageka @hillarymageka
A Senate watchdog committee has summoned all the 47 governors to explain how they spent public funds amid revelations of massive looting and wastage of resources in counties.
The Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC) has ordered governors to appear to respond to questions raised by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu on expenditure for the 2018/19 financial year and the balance of audit reports of previous years.
In a schedule released by the committee yesterday, County Assemblies have also been invited to shed light on expenditure for 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years.
According to the notice of sittings of the committee in the months of June to November, the counties of Isiolo, Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Mandera and Tana River will be among the first to take the hot seat.
They will be followed by Kericho, Nyandarua, Samburu, Nyeri, Laikipia, Turkana, Migori, Nakuru, Baringo, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Lamu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kisii and Nyamira.
Others are Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kiambu, Murang’a, Marsabit, Machakos, Kisumu, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Bomet, Narok, Bungoma, Busia, Tharaka Nithi, Homa Bay and Vihiga.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Articles 96(3) and 229(7) and (8) of the Constitution and Senate Standing Order 220, in exercise of its mandate of oversight over county public accounts and investment, the committee hereby informs the chief executives of the entities listed in the schedule to appear before it on the respective dates,” reads the notice published on Tuesday by Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
“All County Assemblies are required, at least 14 days prior to the scheduled date of appearance, to submit written responses, including supporting documents, to the specific issues raised in the Auditor General’s Reports on Financial Operations of the respective County Assembly for all financial years,” the notice further states.
It adds: “The Committee will not accept management responses that will be availed to the committee and the Auditor-General’s office outside of the set timelines.”
Besides, each county Assembly is required to acknowledge (in writing) receipt of notification of appearance to the Clerk of the Senate/Secretary, Parliamentary Service Commission at least seven days prior to the scheduled date of appearance.