Taita Taveta County officials to face prosecution over Sh4m World War I celebrations 

Senior Taita Taveta County executive officials have been accused of allegedly embezzling over Sh4 million in the guise of celebrating World War I (WWI), in November 2022, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission's (EACC) has outlined in their fourth quarterly report.

The Commission has now called for swift action to hold those responsible accountable and recover the lost funds.

"Besides the prosecution of suspects, EACC will pursue recovery of the lost funds," the anti-corruption commission said.

In yet another case involving the county, several suspects are set to be prosecuted after EACC revealed the mismanagement of taxpayers' funds.

According to EACC in its report,  the Taita Taveta County Assembly leadership and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) undertook a bonding trip to Zanzibar, allegedly funded by taxpayers' money.

The trip, which incurred expenses exceeding Sh7 million, has raised serious concerns as some MCAs were reportedly overpaid, while others received allowances for the journey despite not travelling at all.

Last year, Taita Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime sent four senior county officials on compulsory leave over the alleged financial irregularities.

Probe to continue

Speaker of the Taita Taveta County Assembly Wisdom Mwamburi said the assembly would continue with its investigations despite the governor's decision to suspend the officials.

On March 1, 2023, Kaloleni County Assembly member Azhar Din sought an explanation from the tourism sector committee on the use of funds.

Azhar asked the assembly's tourism committee to provide the house with the total expenditure, including reimbursements and supplies for the event, the names of the officials involved in the preparation and execution of the event, and the economic benefits to residents.

"The Assembly has sought to ascertain the status of expenditure on the said event following public outcry over waste and misappropriation of public funds," the Speaker said.

He said they had already received a response from the Ministry of Trade, Tourism, Industrialisation and Cooperatives Development that the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) would investigate the alleged questionable expenditure of the millions spent.

In their report dated July 18, 2023, the Committee of Tourism chaired by MCA Lilian Mwangoi noted that some few individuals abused their powers during the planning and execution, for their selfish interest against the public good and the benefits accruing thereafter.

Mwangoi said the relevant department failed to take the lead role and left it to the Economic advisor to spearhead the event which led to the mismanagement of the WWI funds.

"Minutes availed show various individuals attending meetings within the county and outside the county who were not members of the committee tasked to spearhead the WWI activities thereby defeating the purpose of forming a committee," the Committee said.

No work plan

She added that there was no approved work plan and scope of work availed to corroborate the activities undertaken.

"The little work done was executed by few individuals who procured goods and services in cash, through M-Pesa and bank transfer contrary to Section 107 of Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2015 and its Regulation 2020 which has pegged the procurement of goods and service at a maximum threshold of Sh50, 000," she said.

The Committee also noted that the four officers who were sent on compulsory leave by the governor played an active role or influenced most of the decisions revolving around the execution of the WWI event as they were in attendance in various meetings and were adversely mentioned in the public domain.

"The County suffered a financial loss to the tune of Sh4,048,337 as no value for money was achieved, Public financial procedures were deliberately violated by those who were directly involved in the execution of the event," reads the report.

They added that cases of forgery and misappropriation of public funds were manifested in various receipts and invoices purported to support the expenditures of the event.

"Consequently the validity and authenticity of the expenditure amounting to Sh4,048,337 for the WW1 event is in doubt," reads the report.

In its part, the Committee recommended the immediate suspension of the four county officers and urged the EACC to punish those found culpable in accordance with the law and strip them of their responsibilities by the appointing authority.

They noted that the involvement of the governor's advisors in the preparation and delivery of the WW1 event was irregular and not within the County government administrative structures and the expenditure on the event was marred with irregularities