The Corruption Plague in Garissa County: A Deep Dive into Mismanagement and Misappropriation

Garissa County is embroiled in a corruption scandal of staggering proportions, revealing a deep-seated rot within Governor Nathif Jama’s administration.

A comprehensive audit has uncovered unconfirmed expenditures, unsupported payments, and rampant financial mismanagement amounting to billions of shillings.

A recent audit report has revealed alarming discrepancies and a blatant disregard for the proper use of public funds.

This article dissects the key findings, shedding light on the deep-rooted corruption that is hampering development and service delivery in the county.

Unaccounted Expenditure on ICT Equipment

The audit report highlights that Garissa County’s statement of receipts and payments includes the acquisition of assets worth Kshs. 1,475,930,588.

However, scrutiny of the documents reveals unconfirmed expenditure on office furniture and general equipment amounting to Kshs 32,267,363.

Notably, Kshs 2,965,000 was allocated for ICT equipment meant for technical and vocational training (TVET) institutions.

Shockingly, months after the purchase, these assets remained unused and untagged, gathering dust in storage.

This raises serious concerns about the accuracy and propriety of this expenditure, indicating possible embezzlement or gross negligence.

Unsupported expenses and Dubious Payments

The county’s financial statements reflect expenditures on goods and services totaling Kshs. 845,318,125.

A closer examination uncovers several unsupported expenditures, including domestic travel and subsistence costs amounting to Kshs. 85,924,196.

Payments of Kshs. 1,232,000 for drought assessment duties were made without the necessary pre-travel approvals, activity programs, or attendance registers.

Moreover, office supplies worth Kshs 33,288,247 lacked crucial supporting documents, such as counter receipt vouchers and inspection reports.

These lapses point to deliberate efforts to conceal fraudulent activities.

Repair and Maintenance Irregularities

The report also flags routine maintenance costs for vehicles, which amounted to Kshs 3,811,180.

Astonishingly, Kshs. 2,828,904 of this expenditure was not recorded in the respective vehicle log books, nor were the motor vehicle work tickets or mechanical inspection reports provided.

This lack of documentation and transparency makes it impossible to verify the authenticity of these payments, suggesting a deliberate attempt to siphon public funds.

Casual Wages and Employee Compensation

The audit uncovered significant irregularities in the compensation of employees. The county’s wage bill includes basic wages for temporary employees, totaling Kshs. 410,062,610.

However, casual wages and salaries amounting to Kshs. 352,204,386 were not recorded in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database System.

Additionally, payments amounting to Kshs. 104,922,280 were not supported by payment vouchers and schedules.

This raises serious questions about the legitimacy of these expenditures and potential ghost workers on the payroll.

Unconfirmed Transfers and Budgetary Issues

The audit also reveals unconfirmed transfers to other government entities amounting to Kshs.154,729,423, including Kshs.35,000,000 to the Garissa County Referral Hospital and the Ministry of Health.

The failure to prepare financial statements to account for these funds further underscores the lack of transparency and accountability.

Additionally, budgetary control and performance discrepancies highlight an under-funding of Kshs. 1,103,863,268 and an under-performance of Kshs. 1,137,192,100, adversely affecting planned activities and service delivery.

Pending Bills and Unresolved Prior Year Issues

Pending accounts payable totaling Kshs. 570,170,549 were noted, with no explanation for their non-settlement during the year.

This distorts financial statements and adversely affects future budgetary provisions.

Furthermore, unresolved issues from previous audit reports indicate a persistent culture of non-compliance and mismanagement.

Allegations by Women Rep Hon. Udgoon Siyat

Garissa Women Rep. Hon. Amina Siyat Udgoon has publicly accused Governor Nathif Jama of enriching himself and advancing corruption.

She highlights the dire state of health services and the persistent water scarcity, despite substantial funding.

Hon. Udgoon has vowed to hold the governor accountable, emphasizing that history will judge her harshly if she remains silent.

Nepotism and Cronyism in Garissa County

The county secretary, Mr. Mohamud Hassan Alias Nairobii, has strategically placed his siblings in influential positions, further entrenching corruption.

His family members occupy key roles in finance, procurement, accounting, and personal assistance, managing illegally acquired funds through various companies involved in lucrative projects.

This nepotism and cronyism exacerbate the corruption crisis in Garissa County.

Urgent Need for Accountability

Garissa County residents must demand accountability from their leaders. The drastic reduction in the county wage bill from Kshs. 448 million to Kshs. 150 million monthly following a staff purge raises questions about the use of the saved funds.

Despite receiving Kshs 690 million monthly for salaries and recurrent expenses, there is little evidence of these savings being utilized for public benefit.

The county government must account for the Kshs4.320 billion saved over eight months, ensuring transparency and prudent use of public resources.

Conclusion

The audit report and public outcry paint a bleak picture of governance in Garissa County. The blatant corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability are robbing residents of essential services and development.

It is imperative for the relevant authorities to investigate these issues thoroughly, hold those responsible accountable, and restore integrity and transparency in the management of public funds.

Garissa County deserves better, and it is time for decisive action against corruption.