Bomet Residents Stage Demos Demanding Ouster of Governor Barchok
On Wednesday morning, activities in Bomet Town came to a standstill as residents organized protests, calling for Governor Hillary Barchok’s resignation, and disrupting services.
The enraged locals set bonfires ablaze along the Bomet Highway, making the bustling route that links Bomet to Kericho and Nakuru Counties impassable.
During their demonstrations, the citizens alleged that the governor had mishandled county finances, leading to a call for his immediate removal from office.
The vigilant police officers had to step in and control the unruly crowd that posed a threat to invade Barchok’s office.
The law enforcement had to use teargas to scatter the demonstrators.
Amid the demonstrations, law enforcement successfully apprehended an individual suspected of being affiliated with a cohort of local political advocates orchestrating the protests.
In their passionate expression of anger, the residents pledged to persist until they were provided with a clarification on the utilization of County funds designated for particular projects that had come to a halt.
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In November of the previous year, Governor Barchok presented himself before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee, led by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, to clarify the County’s outstanding bills, which were claimed to have been exaggerated by Ksh204 million.
The governor with a two-term tenure was also required to clarify the reasons behind the delays in several projects valued at Ksh1 billion.
Barchok, on the other hand, ascribed the numbers to unfounded assertions and fabricated paperwork. He mentioned that he was currently in the process of confirming the accusations.
In her report, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu revealed that the County claimed its outstanding bills were Ksh842.39 million, but the actual figures indicated Ksh637.43 million, resulting in a difference of Ksh204 million.
The governor was questioned about audit queries for the fiscal year ending June 2021, and the specific details came to light during the inquiry.
Bomet Residents Stage Demos Demanding Ouster of Governor Barchok
