Monday, 24 March, 2025
CPISFC sends Samburu Governor away for the third time over inadmissible audit reports๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐
The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds once again sent Samburu County Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit and his executive team away due to the submission of insufficient and inadmissible audit documents. This marks the third consecutive time the governor has faced such rebuke from the committee.
The meeting convened to scrutinize audit reports for key county entities including the Samburu Water Company, Samburu Referral Hospital, and Maralal Municipality for the 2023/24 fiscal year, quickly hit a snag.
Committee Chair, Sen. Godfrey Osotsi, expressed his disappointment with the quality of the submitted documents. "Governor Lelelit," he stated, "the committee cannot proceed with this review based on the documents provided. They are incomplete and lack the necessary details required for proper scrutiny. This is unacceptable."
A key point of contention arose regarding the audit of Maralal Municipality. The committee insisted that the municipality, having been granted a charter by the governor, should have been audited as an autonomous entity. However, the governor's team indicated that it was audited under the county executive. This explanation drew sharp criticism from the senators.
"With all due respect Governor," Sen. Raphael Chimera interjected, "the law is clear. Once a charter is granted, the entity gains a level of autonomy, particularly in financial reporting. Auditing it under the executive defeats the purpose of that autonomy and raises serious accountability concerns."
The absence of key financial officers further compounded the issue. The committee questioned the whereabouts of the CECM for Finance and the Chief Officer Finance, emphasizing their crucial role in the audit process. "Where are the officers responsible for these financial statements?" Chair Osotsi demanded. "Their presence here is essential."
Faced with mounting pressure and the weight of the committee's dissatisfaction, Governor Lelelit offered a brief response. "We will take the committee's concerns seriously and ensure that the revised documents are prepared and submitted as soon as possible," he said.
Ultimately, the committee resolved to adjourn the meeting, directing the governor and his team to return with thoroughly revised and compliant audit reports. "We expect a comprehensive and accurate account of the county's finances," Osotsi concluded. "The people of Samburu deserve nothing less."
The repeated failure to provide adequate audit reports underscores ongoing concerns about financial accountability and governance in Samburu County.