Detectives probe Sh11m assembly seats payout

The anti-corruption agency is investigating a case in which Sh11.5 million was spent to buy seats for the county assembly last year. 

The county assembly bought 48 seats and one table for its debating chamber. This translates to Sh240,000 a seat.

Last year, a number of ward reps and residents raised the alarm on the purchase, claiming that the prices of the seats had been inflated. They also questioned the procurement process that saw Kodiaga Maximum Prison awarded the tender

One ward rep, who is also a member of the county assembly's Public Investments Committee, said they had filed a formal inquiry with the Assembly Speaker, Onyango Oloo, raising several issues with the debating chamber renovation project.

“The quality of the seats has also surprised us but we are hoping that the assembly leadership will explain to us if the value for money has been met,” said the ward rep.

The Standard could not reach Mr Oloo for comment.

A member of the assembly’s Public Investments and Public Accounts committees yesterday told The Standard that both teams had conducted their own investigations.

The official said attempts to complete the report had been frustrated by the assembly’s top leadership since October last year.

“We have yet to present the report to the house because we have never been given a chance,” claimed the ward rep.

The renovation of the debating chambers and staff offices has been at the centre of debate, with some ward reps claiming it had become a cash cow for some officials.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission's Western regional director, Ignatius Wekesa, said investigations into the claims were underway.