Wavinya, Badilisha, Kawira among Governors fingered for wastage of millions

The office of the Auditor General has released its 2022-2023 audit report for county governments, with the Nancy Gathungu-led office exposing how Governors have been mismanaging taxpayers’ money disbursed as sharable revenue.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has questions to answer over a 12-storey building that the county allocated Ksh.399 million for, yet the Auditor General says the construction cost Ksh.230 million and wants to know why the extra expenditure of Ksh.169 million.

Governor Ndeti also faces questions on Ksh.100 million questionable payments to loans and Saccos, with the Auditor General further questioning payment of pension worth Ksh.178 million.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi is also on Gathungu’s radar over irregular use of framework agreements on procurement, questionable medical supplies worth Ksh.218 million that auditors could not find supply records for.

Governor Cheboi and his team have also been questioned over irregular procurement of motor vehicles worth Ksh.120 million.

Other concerns include irregularity in procurement of the services of a law firm as well as unauthorised expenditure of Ksh.21 million on electricity.

In Nyandarua County, Gathungu flagged delayed projects worth Ksh.96 million. A perimeter wall worth Ksh.23 million done by Governor Kiarie Badilisha has also got the attention of the Auditor General as well as an irregular payment of Ksh.5 million to the Council of Governors from public coffers.

In Meru, Governor Kawira Mwangaza is faced with questions from the Auditor General for payment of ineligible pending bills worth Ksh.276 million as well as irregular payment of allowances to doctors amounting to Ksh.126 million.

The audit reports will be interrogated by the Senate's oversight committees, with Governors required to appear in person.