Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is on the spot following allegations of financial misconduct involving the procurement of lorries for the county.
Reports indicate that his administration purchased each lorry at 27 million shillings, despite the market value being approximately 8.5 million shillings.
This discrepancy suggests an overpayment of 18.5 million shillings per vehicle.
With 24 lorries involved, the total questionable expenditure amounts to 444 million shillings.
These allegations have sparked public outrage, especially given Nairobi’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
Critics argue that such financial mismanagement diverts essential funds from critical services like healthcare, education, and employment initiatives.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has been particularly vocal, calling for Sakaja’s impeachment over gross misconduct and financial mismanagement.
Owino highlighted several concerning findings from the Auditor General’s report, including anomalies in asset acquisition, ghost workers, pending bills, and unaccounted payments amounting to billions of shillings.
The Auditor General’s report further reveals over-expenditure, dubious payments, and suspect asset acquisition under Sakaja’s administration.
Irregular payments totaling 17 million shillings to 26 county workers, including basic pay, rental, house supplementation, and service gratuity, were flagged by the audit.
Additionally, the report highlighted a failure to recover PAYE from the salaries of 393 officers as required by law, along with instances where employees were earning net salaries less than a third of their basic pay, contrary to established human resource policies.
These revelations have led to widespread public discontent, with many Nairobi residents demanding accountability and transparency from their leadership.
The misallocation of funds is seen as a betrayal to the citizens who are deprived of essential services and opportunities.
Governor Sakaja’s administration has yet to provide a comprehensive response to these allegations.
The situation underscores the need for stringent oversight and accountability mechanisms within county governments to prevent the misuse of public funds and ensure that resources are directed towards improving the lives of the citizens.
It is imperative for the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the procurement processes of the Nairobi County government.
Ensuring transparency and adherence to procurement laws is essential to restore public trust and guarantee that public funds are utilized for the intended purposes.
The citizens of Nairobi deserve leaders who prioritize their welfare and are committed to the prudent management of resources.
Addressing these allegations promptly and effectively is crucial in upholding the principles of good governance and accountability.
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