Senators grill Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye for spending Sh2.5m to buy 24 phones

NAIROBI: Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye was put to task by a Senate watchdog committee over an expenditure of Sh2.5 million to buy 24 smart phones for county executives.

The Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee demanded answers from the Governor as to why he approved the expenditure, with some members arguing phones are personal effects and should not be acquired through public funds.

The money was used to procure Samsung Galaxy Note III phones for chief officers and county executive committee (CEC) members.

Senators, led by interim Chairman, Kisumu Senator Anyang' Nyong'o, wondered why Mr Nkedianye approved such an expenditure for employees who draw huge salaries from public coffers.

In his report for the county executive expenditure, Auditor General Edward Ouko noted that the smart phones were bought at varying prices, raising doubts about their actual costs. Some of the phones were bought for Sh90,000 each while others cost Sh80,000.

The prices, according to the Auditor-General, were beyond what is allowed by the Office of the President through a circular sent to all counties.

The senators said the Procurement and Public Finance Management regulations were not followed as there were no requisitions provided to support the need for the gadgets. It was also not indicated who they would be allocated to.

"Where is value for money when such an amount is spent on gadgets that could have cost much less? You don't just spend without getting value for money," Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet said. He said the county could have bought the phones for Sh30,000 each.

The governor told the committee that the procurement officer was best placed to explain the matter.

The governor was also accused of paying Sh12 million to private lawyers for legal services without following the proper procedures.

This, the committee said, defied a circular from the Attorney General and another from the Presidency that provided guidelines on the engagement or appointment of private law firms.