Governors unfairly punished for funds loss, says Mandago
County chiefs should not be barred from stepping into their offices over economic crimes committed by staff working under them, Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has said.
He said if governors are to step down over breach of Public Finance Management Act or failure to adhere to procurement laws, then their juniors should be forced to vacate offices, too.
“We are demanding that even junior officers who signed for the financial documents related to transactions of goods and services at counties leading to loss of public funds be held culpable and compelled to step down just like the county chiefs,” he said.
Mandago called for the review of the Public Finance Management Act, noting that it has made the county chiefs to carry the cross on all issues related to audit queries worth millions of shillings in their administration.
The governor was speaking in Eldoret town during inspection of the construction of a Sh183 million North Rift regional block office in the town by the outgoing Auditor General Edward Ouko.
The two storey building will serve Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia and West Pokot counties upon completion.
Prudent use of resources
Ouko said the regional office would enhance its oversight on various projects and programmes.
“This regional hub office will not only bring services closer to the people but also enhance its oversight of multi-billion-shilling projects at counties to ensure prudent utilisation of public resources,” said the chief public auditor.
