The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds has instructed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conduct a thorough investigation into Lamu Governor Issa Timamy within a 30-day period.
This directive follows concerns raised regarding irregular payments totaling KES 23,070,000 from the Lamu County Bursary Fund during the 2021/22 financial year. The committee alleges that these payments were made without formal applications.
The Committee’s decision arose after a review of the findings reported to the Senate by the Auditor-General, which highlighted potential misappropriation in various Lamu County funds, including the Bursary Fund, the County Executive Housing Fund, and the County Emergency Fund.
Upon completion of the investigation, the EACC is required to submit its findings to the Committee within the specified timeframe. Additionally, the probe will encompass allegations of coercion linked to the irregular payments.
In a separate but related matter, the Committee also met with Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu to address concerns outlined in the Auditor-General’s report regarding the Narok County Bursary Fund, the county’s Alcoholics Drinks Control Fund, Maasai Mara Support Fund, and the Narok County Revenue Fund.
As a result of this meeting, the Committee directed Governor Ntutu to rectify inaccuracies in the financial statements of the Narok County Bursary Fund and ensure the timely submission of quarterly financial reports to the Controller of Budget.
Lawmakers emphasized that failure to adhere to these directives may lead to further investigations and potential legal action against the governors involved.
This Senate directive follows recent scrutiny over alleged misuse of public funds and abuse of office by Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, raised by Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
Allegations include the irregular awarding of a KES1.6 billion tender to a Nairobi-based company for the supply of earth-moving equipment for Narok County, as well as delays in the disbursement of education bursaries, which Senator Ledama attributes to unaccounted funds totaling KES 451 million and outstanding dues by the County.
