Wamuzi News Ke
A searing confrontation unfolded today as Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah launched a blistering assault on Governor Paul Otuoma, accusing the county government of gross financial mismanagement and demanding urgent accountability over a missing KSh5.2 billion for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Omtatah declared that an independently commissioned fraud audit uncovered the staggering financial gap—alleging deliberate inflation of the budget, misallocation of funds via phantom IFMIS entries, and suspected collusion at senior levels. The senator challenged the governor to either confirm his innocence or face legal consequences. “The County Government of Busia should not attack me, the messenger; let them confront the message with a detailed and coherent response,” said Omtatah. “If they think I am wrong, let them sue me.”
The senator’s accusations extend beyond the headline figure. Citing enhanced scrutiny, he claimed budget lines were illegally increased by KSh4.535 billion, pushing spending to nearly 63% above legitimate allocations. Omtatah warned that these maneuvers may qualify as criminal breaches under anti-corruption statutes.
Busia County Fires Back
In a harshly worded rebuttal, the Busia County Government dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and procedurally flawed. Officials emphasized that a senator has no legal mandate to unilaterally audit county finances and accused Omtatah of misusing his oversight platform for personal ambition. “Senator Omtatah’s purported audit… lacks both legal grounding and institutional legitimacy,” stated the county’s press office. They further cautioned that his actions could violate the Leadership and Integrity Act and public trust provisions.
The governor’s office affirmed that Busia has nothing to hide and welcomed legitimate investigations “when conducted within the bounds of law and decorum.” They urged calm and collaboration to ensure transparent governance.
A New Flashpoint in County Politics
The standoff marks a major escalation in ongoing tensions between the county executive and Senate representation. Omtatah, known for his activist stance and past allegations of bribery attempts and systemic corruption, insists this latest probe is a culmination of years-long oversight vigilance. He has previously vowed to pursue multi-trillion shilling recoveries from national figures over alleged misappropriations.
Analysts suggest the timing is politically charged: as plans intensify for the 2027 general election, both sides may be positioning for influence over Busia’s electorate and county resources.
What Comes Next?
The knife-edge confrontation now hinges on whether Busia County will release audited accounts, invite forensic reviews, or escalate the battle into the courts. Omtatah has invited legal action: “If I am wrong, let the court decide,” he declared.
Critics argue that without institutional safeguards—such as auditor-general verification or parliamentary committee involvement—these allegations risk devolving into personal vendetta rather than accountability. Meanwhile political observers believe this clash could catalyze greater scrutiny over devolved funds across Kenya.
