A Senate Public Accounts and Investments Committee sitting, May 24, 2017. [Photo/NTV]
Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya risks being blocked from defending his seat in the August 8, general elections. This is after the Senate Public Accounts and Investments Committee invited the Public Service Commission (PSC) the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Auditor General, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Office of the Controller of Budget, over Oparanya's failure to respond to audit queries. The Committee chaired by Kisumu senator Prof Anyang' Nyong'o said Oparanya, who is also the ODM party leader, has consistently been snubbing summons, requiring him to answer to questions on how he spent public funds allocated to him in the 2013/2014 Financial Year.In response, DPP Keriako Tobiko urged the Committee to seek parliament's approval, to be able to arrest and charge county officers who snub audit summons, on how public funds have been spent.
Tobiko was speaking to the Committee, during its Wednesday, where Oparanya was expected to appear.
Members, including Kiambu county senator Kimani Wa Matangi condemned Oparanya's action, saying Kakamega residents need to know how their funds were being spent, as the Constitution stipulates.Last year, Oparanya moved to Court to block his arrest, after the Committee orderd the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to arrest, after he severaly snubbed summons.