Former Governor Charity Ngilu has been summoned by the senators over financial statements linked to the Kitui County Textile Centre.

In a report shared by the National Assembly on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the former Kitui County boss has been directed to appear before the Senate Public County Investments and Special Funds Committee.

This is after the office of the Auditor General issued adverse opinions on the Kitui County Textile Center where it cited management and financial challenges.

The Auditor General report for financial years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, highlighted that the financial challenges threatened the sustainability of the Kitui-based firm.

To shed light on its operations and financial status during the mentioned financial years, the Senate Public County Investments and Special Funds Committee led by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi directed Charity Ngilu and other officials who signed Kitui County Textile Center’s financial statements to appear before it.

“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,” Senator Osotsi directed.

Other directives

The senators sitting in the committee further directed the current Kitui Governor Julius Malombe to submit various reports and information within three days, including the centre’s status report, names and contact details of the Board of Directors, and details of signatories to the centre’s bank accounts.

Additionally, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) was invited to participate in a forthcoming meeting, scheduled for next month, to further investigate the matter.

By the time of this publication, Charity Ngilu had not responded to the summons.