Assembly woes continues as service Board Lock out clerk over Sh3 million

A leadership row is threatening to derail activities at the county assembly after the Public Service Board confirmed it had suspended Assembly Clerk Felix Olwero over alleged loss of nearly Sh3 million.

Assembly Speaker George Okode said in a letter dated March 1 that Mr Olwero had been suspended for gross misconduct.

In the letter, Mr Okode wants Olwero to explain, within 21 days, the whereabouts of Sh2,977,281 said to have been withdrawn from the Cooperative Bank three years ago.

"Pursuant to the provisions of the County Assembly Service Act No. 24 of 2017, Section 23(b), it is the decision of the Board that you be suspended for a period of three months to allow for investigations," said Okode.

The clerk is also required to appear before a disciplinary committee over the matter. He will receive half pay during the suspension period.

But in a quick rejoinder, Olweru has denied the allegations that he misused the Sh2,977,281.

He said in his letter dated March 11 that the money was used for car loan for himself and another officer he named as Zilpa Omondi who received Sh2 million of the amount.

"I wish to state the cheque No. 00041 amounting to Sh2,977,281 was for a car loan as granted by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission," he said.

He added: "The allegations on misappropriation as purported in the internal audit report is therefore misleading. The internal auditor did not make any attempts to verify his facts."

A member of the board, Eliud Onyango, yesterday confirmed they had suspended Olwero. Mr Onyango claimed Olwero took money for car and mortgage loans from the MCAs' kitty yet he was a staff member.

Legal framework

According to the board members, staff do not have a legal framework to enable them access car loans and mortgage. MCAs are, however, entitled to the facilities.

The Ward Reps are entitled to a Sh2 million car loan and Sh3 million mortgage.

"The amount Olwero took is way above what is given to the MCAs. We do not have evidence that he is paying because his pay slip does not show any proof of payment," said Onyango.

He added: "He took advantage of his position and accessed this loan as the principal and custodian of the assembly accounts. We were not aware until an internal audit was conducted recently."

Olwero told The Standard he was shocked to find the locks of his office doors changed when he returned from his annual leave two weeks ago.

But Onyango denied claims that they had blocked him from accessing his office, saying they had written to him explaining why he was suspended from duties.

Olwero said efforts to reach Speaker George Okode proved futile since he had not been picking calls.