The country has been subjected to scenarios where the county governments have been misusing public resources to buy equipment at abnormal prices.
The governors of these counties have been very defensive when asked to explain how the materials are bought at such high prices. It is a big shame that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been a toothless dog in dealing with these leaders.
In Homa Bay County, Governor Cyprian Awiti was on the spot over Sh34 million used in the purchase of office furniture, construction of hostels for local polytechnic, procurement of goods and services and renovation of the governor’s office.
In Mombasa, Governor Hassan Joho was on the spot over procurement of furniture worth Sh9.5 million. Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua’s was asked to explain how the refurbishment of a building was worth Sh81 million. He further went ahead to use Sh29 million to renovate a rented building and continue paying rent for the same.
The most outrageous county expenditure was from Bungoma when the Governor Ken Lusaka used between Sh78,000 to 112,320 to purchase wheelbarrows when the normal price would have not been higher than Sh10,000.
Kisii County has not been left behind in this outrageous misuse of public resources. The county decided to purchase thermos flasks at Sh8,000 each, a 13-kilogramme cooking gas cylinder at Sh15,000 and a tray at Sh6,000. This comes after the county had spent Sh7.6 million to purchase tablets for it's members.
These misuse of funds by County governments should stop. As it currently stands, Kenyans continue paying heavy taxes and in return get nothing from the leaders they elected to represent them. This is not the way to go as such incidences only make Kenya look more corrupt.
The EACC should ensure any leader found to have misused public funds to be arraigned in court and jailed if found guilty. This will help deter reoccurrence of such behaviour. Voters should also send corrupt leaders back home and elect those who can lead with integrity in 2017.