Six MPs petition Senate to probe Governor Josephat Nanok over Sh728m

Six legislators have petitioned the Senate over the embezzlement of funds, financial impropriety and skewed employment by Governor Josphat Nanok's administration.

In a petition to the House by area Senator John Munyes on behalf of the petitioners, they want the county government investigated over misuse of Sh728million meant for development.

The petitioners also appealed to the Senate to recommend to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conduct a special audit of Turkana County government from March 2013 to date, including a lifestyle audit of all staff.

The lawmakers accused Nanok’s government of practicing nepotism in awarding tenders, thereby flouting the procurement and financial laws and being in breach of the Public Officers Ethics Act, the County Government Act and the Constitution.

Christopher Nakuleu (Turkana North), Daniel Nanok (Turkana West), Protus Akujah (Loima), James Lomenen (Turkana South), Nicholas Angkor (Turkana East) and Joyce Emanikor have censured Nanok's government for undertaking fraudulent transactions and failure to account for funds appropriated by the county assembly during the financial year 2013/2014.

Appearing before the Senate Finance committee on Thursday, the irked petitioners urged the senators to probe the use of public funds, which includes allocation of Sh220million meant for youth and women enterprises.

"Despite these matters being brought to the attention of the governor, he has failed to take action against corrupt officers in his government. Likewise, the county assembly has failed in its oversight role on the executive," reads the petition.

It continues, "Our efforts to resolve these issues have failed to yield any positive outcomes."

"The Senate should take measures aimed at protecting devolution, and taxes payers' money, including directing the recovery of funds appropriated through illegal means," reads the petition.

The MPs expressed concerns over the whereabouts of Sh20 million meant for persons with disabilities, Sh188million contingent fund, over Sh300million spent on incomplete projects and those not under the county government.

“The governor is overseeing improper expenditure of public funds on none prioritized development projects, or projects not falling within the mandate of the county government, such as construction of eco-lodges in Kainuk and Lokitoe-Ang’aber in Turkana South and Turkana North sub-counties, respectively,” lamented the lawmakers.

Further, they faulted Nanok and his executive for recruiting staff on the basis of favoritism and tribalism.

“The requirements set out in law in regard to qualification, recruitment, vetting and approval procedures have not be followed in making these appointments,” the petition reads.

During the session with the senate committee chaired by Senator Zipporah Kittony (nominated), the six decried the poor state of affairs in Turkana and called for a speedy resolution.

"The county government should be held to account for misuse of public resources. Devolution was supposed to be a game changer, yet our people continued to be marginalized by this administration," stated Nakuleu.

They stressed that the people of Turkana should get value for money.

Kittony pledged that her committee will pursue the matter and recommend appropriate action.

"The mandate of the senate is to protect counties and their interest. We are going to probe the matter, including summoning the persons concerns to shed light on the same," she affirmed.