Omtatah’s Bombshell: Private Forensic Audit Reveals Sh5.2 Billion Looting in Busia County

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has ignited a firestorm of controversy with damning revelations that over Sh5.2 billion earmarked for development in Busia County was systematically looted during the 2022/2023 fiscal year.

In a detailed press statement and forensic audit report released early Saturday, Omtatah accused county officials of orchestrating a deliberate scheme to siphon public funds, leaving no visible development on the ground while certain individuals flaunt lavish lifestyles.

The audit, commissioned by Omtatah and conducted by independent expert Mr. Muchere, uncovered undocumented payments, voided transactions worth billions, and a lack of transparency in financial records.

“Despite red flags, the Auditor-General gave Busia a clean bill of health for that financial year, a move I find complicit and unacceptable,” Omtatah stated, vowing to hold those responsible accountable.

Omtatah’s battle for transparency has been met with fierce resistance.

Accessing source documents for the 2022/2023 audit required court intervention, a struggle now repeating itself as he seeks records for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.

The Senator has twice summoned the Auditor-General to the Senate, but she has dodged both appearances, fueling accusations of institutional failure.

The forensic report reveals fraud through duplicate Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) account codes and unauthorized expenditures totaling Sh5.2 billion.

Additionally, Sh2.1 billion in payments for goods and services lacked documentation, corroborated by a May 2025 K24 Digital report pointing to millions in untraceable travel and hospitality expenses.

These allegations aren’t isolated.

In 2018, Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong was arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over an alleged Sh8 million fraud scheme.

The latest audit also suggests ethnic favoritism, with 88% of county staff from a single ethnic group, hinting at nepotism in hiring practices.

Omtatah framed the Busia scandal as part of a broader national issue, urging fellow senators to commission forensic audits across all 47 counties.

“This isn’t just about Busia. It’s about building the second Republic where the Constitution is not ornamental but a promise that no Kenyan will be robbed of their future by the greed of a few,” he declared.

The revelations have sparked social media outrage, with users rallying behind Omtatah’s call for justice.

As Kenya grapples with this scandal, all eyes are on the Senate and anti-corruption agencies to determine whether this marks a turning point in fighting public sector corruption.

For now, the people of Busia and all Kenyans await justice, with Omtatah’s rallying cry, “Kenya Istahili Heshima” (Kenya deserves respect), echoing across the nation.

For more details, the full audit report and supporting documents are available online at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ClvtyFOuFMfJqOk4uQ0I-0mL-SR.