Embu County Assembly seeks EACC, DCI probe over irregular Ksh.3M payment

The directive follows the adoption of a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the Auditor General’s findings for the County Executive of Embu for the financial year ending June 30, 2025. The report revealed that the county government made payments to JamboPay months after its contract had lapsed.

According to the committee, the contract—covering the supply, delivery, implementation, customization, and commissioning of a revenue collection and management automation system—expired on April 6, 2023, and was never formally extended.

However, county officials allegedly proceeded to issue Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) No. 66 and 76, authorising payments without a recommendation from the Tender Evaluation Committee.

Moving the motion, Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh, who also serves as Kirimari Ward MCA, termed the transactions unlawful and in violation of procurement laws.

He cited breaches of Section 139 (1) and (2A) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, which outlines the legal framework governing contract management after procurement.

“The review of records clearly shows that the contract had expired and no lawful extension was granted. Any payments made thereafter were irregular and must be investigated,” Swaleh told the Assembly.

The report further disclosed that at the time of the disputed payments, the county government was already in the process of procuring a new revenue collection system valued at Ksh 37.12 million, with Ksh 8.74 million already spent.

In addition, the Deputy Speaker faulted senior county officials for consistently failing to submit required documentation to the Auditor General, only to struggle defending themselves before oversight committees.

He warned that the Assembly would not assume the role of an auditing body due to administrative lapses.

Swaleh also noted that the County Executive had not provided evidence to show that issues flagged in previous audit reports had been resolved, accusing it of indifference and lack of commitment to accountability.

The Assembly has now directed the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning to resolve all outstanding audit queries and submit proof to the Assembly within 30 days. Failure to comply, the report warns, will result in personal liability in accordance with Section 53 of the Public Audit Act, 2015.

The Assembly urged both EACC and DCI to take appropriate legal action against any officials found culpable.