By Team
Is Homa Bay County Government living the old habits of the immediate former regime where corruption, poor service delivery and public relations were the hallmark of the trade?
From the mismanagement of the donor funds, a red flag over suspected misappropriation of public funds by the Department of Health has been raised by the Head of Treasury who wanted disciplinary action meted out on the Chief Officer in charge of the department.
In a letter dated June 26th, 2024, by County Executive Committee Member in charge of Finance, Mr. Solomon Obiero, to the County Secretary captioned “Suspected Misappropriation of Public Funds”,
Obiero wrote: “Reference is made to a letter by the County Chief of Public Health and Medical Services, Ref No. MOH/HB/CTY/COH/GEM/VOL.c9/FIN/6/23/Vol..2 (iB) dated June 12, 2024.
I raised concern over the expenditure of NHIF and Linda Mama reimbursements amounting to Sh 325,531,365 at source by his approval without the funds being swiped to the FIF-SPA.
In this regard, it is my belief as the Head of the County Treasury that the accounting officer has, pursuant to Section 156 (2) (b) of the PFM County Government Regulations, 2015, and the Homa Bay County FIF Act, 2023, issued AIEs against our financial management procedures.
Therefore, the purpose of this letter is to refer the matter to you as the Head of Public Service for appropriate action in terms of statutory and other conditions of employment applicable for his improper conduct.”
But the Chief Officer, Dr. Kevin Osuri, confirmed receiving the letter from the Head of Treasury, saying it was in line with keeping the FIF Act and PFM.
“The 2024 letter was in keeping with the FIF Act and PFM. Completely in order. It wasn’t an issue after we demonstrated all facilities adhered to the Act,” he responded.
Tough questions have emerged over whether the law was broken, who interceded to calm the storm to stop disciplinary action, and whether the funds were misappropriated.
County Secretary Prof. Benard Muok did not respond to our calls and text messages over the matter.
Recently, when Governor Gladys Wanga was in Ndhiwa Sub-County, she told the public that the hospitals were fully equipped with drugs. The crowd roared back saying there were no drugs and they could have been brought when she visited the area.
Last year, in Rachuonyo North Sub-County, Wagwe Hospital residents rioted during Wanga’s visit, citing lack of medicine and health personnel.
Yesterday, Western Insight revealed concerns over Sh 500M, part of the Sh 1.4 billion for infrastructural developments by development partners for the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP 2) in Homa Bay County.
The first disbursement was part of the Sh 1.4 billion meant for infrastructural development but no work has commenced even after the release of the funds.
Equally, questions have emerged over the award of the tender with allegations that the first two candidates were not considered for the award, with the County Government preferring to award the bidder who came third.
The irony is that the National Government infrastructural projects that were earmarked for the Madaraka Day celebrations have been completed in record time, while the donor-funded project that is being implemented by the County Government is yet to take off, with the project term nearing the end.
And now the residents have expressed fear that the projects may stall following the failure of the contractor to commence work at the various sites in the County.
The Principal Secretary, State Department of Housing and Urban Development, has responded to the request for information and concerns raised by Homa Bay-based civic organization over the Sh 1.4 billion Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP 2).
He said the infrastructure upgrade implementation has not commenced.
The project, which is a five-year program, became effective in March 2021 and is expected to close in July 2025 for International Development Agency (IDA) financing and December 2028 for Agence Française de Développement (AFD) financing.
Interface Community Desk had written to the PS Charles Hinga seeking to know the total length of roads being upgraded or constructed under KISIP 2, detailed dimensions and specifications for the roads, including carriageways, footpaths and drainage system.
Design plans and layout for the infrastructure improvement, progress reports, tenders or contracts, and detailed bills of quantities for the roads.
