County Hall’s finance chiefs on the spot over lost millions
A stand-off on Tuesday ensued between County Hall’s Finance chiefs and the County Assembly over details of how Governor Evans Kidero’s government may have lost millions of shillings in its early days in office.
The Public Accounts Committee was stunned by the failure of the Finance top officials to provide basic records related to money matters.
Several accountants earlier expected at the grilling session at County Hall failed to turn up, exposing their bosses to embarrassment before the committee members.
The documents could have either confirmed or negated the latest report by the Auditor General that revealed hundreds of millions were either lost or irregularly paid out during the transition from City Council to County Government in the year 2012/ 2013.
Such documents could also have given a clear picture why Sh252 million in revenue was never banked in the usual accounts.
Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Kiamba and Treasurer Stephen Osiro perused dozens of files without getting answers to questions raised by team.
They regularly consulted in low tones but could not give comprehensive answers to basic questions such as the number of revenue areas the County Government had.
Committee chairman Robert Mbatia (Kariobangi South/Uhuru MCA) was angered by Mr Kiamba’s lack of preparedness with vice- chairman Dan Mutiso warning the officers that they risked facing the wrath of the committee for belittling the requests.
Said Mr Osiro, “We admit we are not prepared. We pray for more time.”
Mr Mbatia ruled the officers should appear again before the committee after seven days.