Parliament has ordered the Baringo County Government to submit documentation regarding an agreement with the Controller of Budget and the Office of the Auditor General about the opening of 304 unauthorized bank accounts.
This directive was issued on Monday during a Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations hearing featuring Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi.
Senators granted Governor Cheboi a deadline of two days to comply with the order, as outlined in the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act.
The focus of the inquiry is the numerous accounts allegedly created to manage DANIDA funds, which has raised concerns about the possibility of unauthorized withdrawals.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka voiced his doubts regarding the need for such a large number of accounts and suggested the potential for illegal activity involving the funds.
Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma, the committee’s vice-chair, emphasized the necessity for county governments to adhere strictly to PFM regulations, stressing that public funds must be utilized legally and transparently.
In his defense, Governor Cheboi clarified that the commercial accounts were established specifically for the management of DANIDA programs.
He stated that the creation of these accounts was in line with directives from DANIDA to ensure more straightforward auditing processes.
The governor also mentioned that the county had received additional grants that were utilized appropriately.
The committee’s inquiry highlights the ongoing challenges of financial management within county governments, particularly regarding transparency and accountability in handling public funds.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on ensuring that all financial activities comply with existing laws and regulations to safeguard public resources.
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