The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Fund on Friday, April 5, issued a 90-day ultimatum to Governor James Orengo to implement the County Emergency Fund.
This is after the committee grilled the governor regarding the findings from Auditor-General reports concerning the implementation of various funds in Siaya County.
Among the funds scrutinised included the Siaya County Education Bursary Fund, County Emergency Fund, and the County Alcoholic Drinks Fund, covering financial years ending in June 2020, 2021, and 2022.
During the grilling session, the committee unearthed administrative and management shortcomings within the funds’ operations.
The Committee led by Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi called on the timely submission of audit documents as per the Public Audit Act of 2015.
According to Osotsi, failure to submit the audit documents on time would result in an investigation which would later lead to potential prosecution.
The Committee directed all Fund Administrators to submit their financial statements and associated records to the Internal Audit Unit for performance reviews.
In a bid to make corrections on the discrepancies, the committee ordered careful record-keeping practices in line with the Public Finance Management Act of 2012.
Senator Osotsi also urged Siaya County Executives to ensure, appropriately qualified account and finance personnel with the necessary training to be able to assist in serving the people of Siaya.
It is not the first time that Siaya County has been put on the light over mismanagement, in December last year, the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) launched investigations of over Ksh400 million in alleged embezzlement of funds.
Twelve Siaya County employees were proposed to be charged with various offences of corruption and economic crimes.
Among them was the Accountant at the Department of Finance and Economic Planning, who is alleged to have received Ksh18 million to his account through irregular applications.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE