The governance of Kirinyaga County under Governor Anne Waiguru’s administration is under intense scrutiny following a recent audit that uncovered a myriad of issues, ranging from financial discrepancies to blatant law violations.
The findings paint a grim picture of a county mired in mismanagement and corruption, with millions of shillings siphoned from public coffers.
One of the most glaring issues is the mysterious disappearance of funds earmarked for vital infrastructure projects and social services.
The county’s roads remain in disrepair, and the healthcare system is in shambles, a testament to the severe misallocation of resources.
Reports indicate that a significant portion of the county budget has been funneled into dubious contracts and ghost projects that never saw the light of day.
This blatant misuse of public funds has left residents grappling with poor service delivery and deteriorating living conditions.
A detailed review of Kirinyaga County’s financial statements revealed pending accounts payable amounting to Kshs. 801,660,183. However, discrepancies to the tune of Kshs. 105,150,258 were identified, with Kshs. 598,345,400 of these payables lacking supporting documents.
These outstanding payables, which have remained unaddressed for over three years, are a direct violation of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015.
Such discrepancies raise serious questions about the accuracy and completeness of the county’s financial records, undermining public trust in the administration.
Further compounding the financial mismanagement, the county’s financial statements claimed zero pending staff payables.
Yet, a closer examination revealed a debt of Kshs. 33,173,831 owed to the Local Authorities Provident Fund. This undisclosed amount not only contravenes transparency but also highlights the administration’s attempt to mask its financial liabilities, thereby casting doubt on the credibility of its financial reporting.
The audit also shed light on the low budget absorption for the scholarship programme. Although Kshs. 108,200,000 was allocated for scholarships, only 30% of these bursaries were disbursed through the Department of Education.
In 16 wards, Kshs. 27,399,807 remained unused, depriving deserving students of essential educational funds.
This underutilization reflects poorly on the county’s commitment to supporting its youth and fostering educational development.The cumulative effect of these revelations is a damning indictment of Governor Waiguru’s leadership.
The mismanagement of funds, coupled with a lack of accountability, has not only squandered public resources but also eroded the public’s confidence in the county government.
The residents of Kirinyaga are left bearing the brunt of these governance failures, facing a future where promised developments remain unfulfilled and essential services are neglected.
In light of these findings, there is an urgent need for comprehensive reforms and stringent oversight to restore integrity and transparency in the county’s governance.
Ensuring that public funds are used effectively and for their intended purposes is crucial in rebuilding trust and driving the county’s development agenda forward.
The call for accountability and justice for the people of Kirinyaga has never been more pressing.
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