Senate Issues Ultimatum to Governor James Orengo, Warns of Prosecution
On Friday, April 5, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds gave Governor James Orengo a 90-day deadline to execute the County Emergency Fund.
This occurred after the committee’s intense questioning of the governor regarding the Auditor-General’s report findings on the utilization of different funds within Siaya County.
The funds examined encompassed the Siaya County Education Bursary Fund, County Emergency Fund, and County Alcoholic Drinks Fund, for the financial years concluding in June 2020, 2021, and 2022.
During the questioning, the committee discovered administrative and managerial deficiencies within the functioning of the funds.
The group overseen by Senator Godfrey Osotsi from Vihiga urged for the prompt provision of audit paperwork by the regulations outlined in the Public Audit Act of 2015.
Osotsi warns that not submitting the audit documents punctually could trigger an inquiry, potentially resulting in prosecution down the line.
The Committee instructed all Fund Administrators to provide their financial statements and related documents to the Internal Audit Unit for evaluation of performance.
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To rectify the discrepancies, the committee mandated meticulous record-keeping procedures compliant with the Public Finance Management Act of 2012.
Senator Osotsi additionally advised Siaya County officials to guarantee that adequately qualified accounting and finance personnel, equipped with the essential training, are in place to effectively serve the residents of Siaya.
Siaya County has faced scrutiny for mismanagement before, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) initiating investigations in December last year into an alleged misappropriation of over Ksh400 million.
Twelve individuals working for Siaya County were facing potential charges related to corruption and economic crimes.
One of the individuals implicated includes the Accountant working at the Department of Finance and Economic Planning, who is accused of receiving Ksh18 million in his bank account through unauthorized means.
Senate Issues Ultimatum to Governor James Orengo, Warns of Prosecution