Public Accounts and Public Investments committees to unravel truth on county offices

Public Accounts and Public Investments committees of the County Assembly of Kisumu have been tasked with investigating the refurbishment of the governor’s office after it emerged that due procurement process was not followed.

This was a recommendation of a report by departmental committee on Transport and Public Works on the construction of ultra-modern county assembly and the renovation of the governor’s office situated on the ninth floor at Prosperity House.

The report tabled by the committee chair John Olum, stated that when summoned, procurement officers gave conflicting statements with a number saying they were not aware of what was happening at the famous ‘ninth floor’.

According to the report, the county secretary Humphrey Nakitare, directed one of the engineers Juma Obunga to supervise the ongoing refurbishment without the knowledge of the County Executive Committee Member for Physical Planning.

IMMEDIATE SUMMONS

Olum said the committee went through pain and struggle to get evidence on the claimed project. The committee established that the advertisement of the refurbishment was poorly done, and that the minister who was the overseer of the project was not aware of the same.

The committee further found out that the advertisement ran, yet the director of supply chain was not aware of the whole process. The committee also established that the first award was done at Sh6 million then it was raised to Sh25million.

Further investigations were recommended to unearth the truth behind the refurbishment and how much was spent on the same.

The committee chair called for immediate summons to be issued to officers involved in the project.

The acting speaker Gabriel Ochieng’ ruled that the committees should investigate the refurbishment while an ad hoc committee of nine members, investigate the controversial Sh808 million tender for the construction of ultra-modern assembly.

The controversial governor’s office has elicited mixed reactions with deputy governor Ruth Odinga refusing to move in before before a lift is put.

People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) have also threatened to sue the county government for making its services inaccessible to them.

The building has no other access apart from the stairs, which PWDs, the aged and pregnant women would find hectic to use.

However, County Chief Officer in charge of Planning George Anyong’a, said there are plans to construct lifts from next week to facilitate access to the office.