Kisumu members of county assembly on the spot over Sh51 million loss

The Senate is asking the Kisumu county assembly to explain how some Sh51 million was used.

Last Friday, Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, asked Assembly Clerk Bob Kephas to explain how the money was spent.

This comes in the wake of Auditor General Edward Ouko's indictment of the assembly over failure to account for the funds.

The money included Sh1.4 million that was given to seven MCAs to purchase furniture for their offices, but that they could not  account for.

Majority Leader Owino Ooro who represents Rusinga Ward, Walter Okumu (Lambwe), Evans Marieba (Gwassi North), Tom Omuto (Gwassi South), George Otieno (Kendu Bay Town), Isaac Omollo (Homa Bay East) and Peter Ouma (Gem East) were allegedly given  Sh200,000 each for the furniture.

Until March

The MCAs have maintained they spent the money appropriately and invited the Senate committee to visit the offices.

"I am sure my money was spent well and I want to invite the Senate committee to visit my office to prove my innocence in this matter," said Mr Ooro.

Also in question is some Sh1.3 million supposedly spent on transport and accommodation of some MCAs who were to attend an official function in Mombasa. They are said not to have travelled at all.

Dr Khalwale expressed concern that the MCAs were paid for their allowances and accommodation for the Mombasa function in March 2014, yet they were attending another county assembly function at a hotel in Homa Bay town on the same day.

"It is unfortunate that the MCAs misused the public funds by getting double payment for their allowances irregularly. These officers were paid their normal assembly allowances for the function in Homa Bay town and special allowances for the Mombasa function, which they never attended," said Khalwale.

The MCAs are also alleged to have pocketed a total of Sh4 million just to go and consult with their voters on where to set up the ward offices. Each of them got Sh100,000 for this.

"We have given the clerk until March 31, next year as he requested, so that the Sh51 million which was misappropriated is recovered," said Khalwale.