Kiambu senator Kimani Wamatangi has warned that graft could cripple devolution if necessary measures are not taken to tame it.
The senator alleges that there could be massive syphoning of funds from county public coffers across the 47 counties.
Wamatangi further states that the Auditor General Reports presented to the senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee show massive irregularities in use and management of public funds.
The Kiambu senator warns that counties could be crippled financially if looting is not stopped.
“The spirit and purpose of devolution could be crippled by misuse and mismanagement of taxpayer’s monies at the counties,” he said during an interview on NTV on Saturday.
The Kiambu senate lawmaker noted that Kenyans across the counties are not receiving services as they should.
He alleges that public funds are ending up in some people’s pockets.
Wamatangi now wants the National Treasury and government agencies mandated to fight corruption to come up with proper measures that will detect misuse of taxpayers’ money.
The senator further wants county officials implicated in misuse of public resources should be dismissed from service.
He alleged that some of the officials linked to graft in some counties are still serving in office.
He stated that graft will end if all players are involved. The senator asked Kenyans to take a keen interest in county activities saying the move could help curb graft.
“The constitution encourages public participation and Kenyans’ should take the initiative and help in detecting graft” he added.
His concerns come in the wake of an alleged theft of Sh1.18 billion in Kilifi County.
It is alleged that some senior Kilifi county officials tampered with IFMIS platform to still public money.
The officials have however been interdicted and investigations launched into the scam, according to Governor Amason Kingi.
The Governor has also set the record clear refuting claims that Sh1.18 billion has been stolen as being alleged in the media.
Governor Kingi during an interview on KTN on Friday said that only Sh51 Million has been swindled.
He, however, stated that the county government with the help of investigating agencies has been able to recover Sh8 Million.
He said that the Ethics and Antic-Corruption Commission (EACC) is conducting the probe into the alleged scam.
Kingi has vowed not to spare any county government official implicated in the scam.
Photo caption: Kiambu senator Kimani Wamatangi. He has warned that massive misuse of public resources in counties could cripple devolution. (Photo/http://www.the-star.co.ke/)