Wamuzi News Ke
Busia County Governor Paul Otuoma finds himself under intense scrutiny this week after a Senate committee formally condemned his inaction against county officials linked to KSh 176 million in audit discrepancies. The Senate warned it will refer the case to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) if discipline is not enforced.
Appearing before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on October 7, Governor Otuoma was pressed to show proof of corrective measures, but admitted he had only partially responded—and lacked clear evidence of full compliance. The committee chair, Senator Moses Kajwang’, declared that with no satisfactory action, the EACC must intervene.
Audit Red Flags: Travel, Hospitality, Payroll Inconsistencies
The audit by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu exposed multiple areas of questionable spending, including:
- KSh 16.5 million claimed for domestic travel and subsistence, with no supporting documents.
- KSh 38 million on foreign travel similarly undocumented.
- KSh 146 million in hospitality expenses, with attendance lists and work plans missing.
- KSh 119 million in salary payments to 47 employees over 60 years old who were not registered in the Integrated Payroll & Personnel Database (IPPD).
Additionally, the committee challenged a KSh 4.98 million consulting contract meant to confirm a hospital’s classification—despite the facility already being designated Level 5. Questions were also raised about sharp declines in revenue from parking and planning fees, suggesting funds may have gone unaccounted.
Governors’ Defense: Partial Moves, Blame on System Gaps
In his defense, Governor Otuoma asserted that some disciplinary actions had been initiated, but he conceded they were incomplete pending investigations. He further argued that certain staff had transitioned from other agencies and were not immediately integrated into the county’s systems. He declined to provide detailed evidence of compliance by the hearing’s close.
On the consultancy issue, Otuoma described facility reclassifications as arbitrary in prior years—but did not convincingly justify the need for a consulting firm already accustomed to clinic standards.
Consequences Loom: EACC, Legal Action, and Political Fallout
Senators warned that failure to act would force their hand: “In the absence of evidence you complied, we must ask EACC to intervene,” declared Senator Kajwang’. Otuoma faces not just political damage but possible investigations, asset freezing, or prosecution if misconduct is established.
At stake is more than one county’s integrity. This confrontation spotlights the tension between devolved county autonomy and national oversight. Governors across Kenya may face heightened scrutiny if Otuoma is forced to answer for systemic audit failures.
