The recent claims by the Nakuru County Hospital board that more than Sh588 million has been misappropriated by the county government has once more exposed how corruption has taken root within the ranks in our counties.
And as everybody awaits communication from the board after it summoned Governor Kinuthia Mbugua to appear before it and explain the new development, the question remains; are public funds safe in our counties?
It should be remembered that the civil society protested to the county headquarters offices last year demanding audience with the governor on accusations of misuse of funds in Nakuru.
The county also witnessed two senior officials probed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption detectives over graft allegations.
Nevertheless, Governor Mbugua is on record saying his administration does not tolerate corruption and anyone with evidence of any corrupt deals was at will to blow the whistle.
The Nakuru County Hospital Board chairman Samuel Githiga said the hospital was allocated Sh600 million from the national government through the county government for the construction of a maternity wing but so far, only Sh22 million has been availed.
Through the board chair Githaiga, the governor has been summoned to explain how the funds were utilised after which they will decide on the next move.