Homa Bay
Wednesday, May22,2024
By Felix Mogaka
The Office of the Auditor General has exposed the unexplained disappearance of millions of shillings in Homa Bay County.
The missing funds, believed to have vanished during the 2022-2023 financial year, have raised serious questions about financial management and transparency within the county.
The Irregularities span both the executive branch and the County Assembly.
Officials within the devolved unit allegedly spent public funds without proper accountability, often providing doctored records or failing to produce supporting documents for expenditures.
This lack of transparency has fueled concerns among taxpayers.
The Auditor General’s report specifically highlights discrepancies within the County Assembly.
Notable findings include foreign travel expenses, where members of the County Assembly (MCAs) spent over Sh5.3 million on foreign travel, but crucial supporting documents were missing.
Additionally, Sh2.262 million disbursed for attending a Lake Victoria Region Local Authority Co-operation (LVRLAC) meeting lacked proper documentation.
Domestic travel costs also came under scrutiny, with MCAs spending Sh214.265 million on domestic travel.
For instance, Sh832,000 was paid to sixteen MCAs for a report writing exercise in Kisumu related to the Department of Lands, Housing, and Physical Planning, but this expenditure lacked the Speaker’s approval and other necessary documentation.
Furthermore, the County Assembly’s Sh12 million expenditure on a Mombasa trip violated National Treasury guidelines, which recommend holding workshops and retreats within the duty station where most participants work.
The lack of adherence to these guidelines raises questions about the proper utilization of funds.
The report underscores the urgent need for greater transparency, accountability, and adherence to financial regulations in Homa Bay County.