The Senate Committee on Public County Investments has summoned former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu to address discrepancies in the financial statements of the Kitui County Textile Centre for three consecutive financial years. The committee also directed former county management officials, who were responsible for signing off on these financial statements, to appear alongside Ngilu.
The summons were issued after current Kitui Governor Julius Malombe appeared before the committee to express concerns about the textile centre’s financial performance and accountability. Malombe was responding to an Auditor General’s report that highlighted financial difficulties and operational challenges within the centre during the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years.
The committee, led by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, identified significant management and financial issues that have threatened the sustainability of the textile centre, which was once a flagship project in Kitui County. The inability of Malombe to clarify these discrepancies prompted the Senate to summon Ngilu and her former team to provide explanations.
“The committee hereby issues summons, under Article 125 of the Constitution and sections 18 and 20 of the Parliamentary (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017, to the former Governor of Kitui County Charity Ngilu, and the former top management officials,” the Senate’s directive stated.
In the meantime, Governor Malombe was instructed to submit detailed reports on the textile centre within three days, including its current status, the names and contact details of the Board of Directors, and the signatories to the industry’s bank accounts. Additionally, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials have been invited to attend the upcoming hearing, scheduled for next week.
This latest development comes nearly a year after EACC detectives launched an investigation into Ngilu over allegations of mismanaging county funds during her tenure. Ngilu has also faced accusations of interfering with the operations of the Kitui County Public Service Board (KCPSB) by allegedly pushing for the appointment of specific individuals, a move that was deemed contrary to the law.
