Governors probed over mismanagement of Covid funds – KBC

Nandi and Embu governors were on wednesday hard-pressed to explain how they used millions of shillings meant to fight coronavirus pandemic amid glaring evidence from the auditor general report of mismanagement funds.

The governors told the Michael Mbito led committee some of the errors noted were not genuine and that in some instance the counties had to procured more items in readiness for the second wave a move the auditor general says was contrary to the procurement procedures.

The Senate committee on health on wednesday sought answers on the alleged misuse of millions of shillings by the Embu and Nandi counties after the office of the auditor general in its audit queries indicated massive loss of millions shillings of monies meant to caution Kenyans from the virus.

Senators seeking to understand why the county government of Nandi used over 200 millions in medical allowances and procurement of items yet the funds were not budgeted for and approved by the county assembly.

This as Embu County executives who had appeared virtually before the committee over Covid funds queries denied payment of undelivered items, and double payment of staff and embattled Nyandarua County speaker who earlier Wednesday appeared before the devolution committee says his woes have been orchestrated by the governor over his stand on corruption in Nyandarua.

Speaker Ndegwa Wahome who in his submission says Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission must investigate corruption in Nyandarua claims 10 members of the county assembly that are supporting him can longer access the assemblies for refusing to vote for his removal and have since been removed from committees.

Meanwhile the energy committee has summoned energy cabinet secretary over the rampant increase in fuel prices in the country.