The latest Auditor General report has unearthed alarming irregularities within Kilifi County, implicating two high-ranking officials in the mismanagement of public funds.
According to county and national government sources, the construction of the county assembly office was plagued by massive irregularities.
Top blogger Cyprian Nyakundi also revealed through his sources that there was more going on than what initially appeared.
Raymond Ngala, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, and Michael Bidii Ngala, the Assembly Clerk, stand accused of syphoning funds intended for the stalled construction of the county assembly offices.
The report states that poor contractor performance led to the termination of the initial construction contract, awarded in 2016 for a sum of Ksh 508,549,884.
The county engaged another contractor, but persistent issues led to a termination request in March 2021, which the county later granted in April 2022.
Despite expenditures totaling Ksh 155,985,743, a physical verification in September 2023 revealed that the project had stalled and cast doubts on its value for money.
The report also shows various breaches of regulations by the County Assembly management.
These include the employment of 126 staff members, exceeding the approved limit of 100, and the engagement of 159 temporary staff without adherence to guidelines.
Nine staff members were found to have exceeded the allowable salary deductions in June 2023, which contravened employment laws.
Despite the requirement of at least 30% representation from other communities, 92% of staff members came from a single ethnic community, flouting ethnic diversity regulations. Out of 10 recruits during the review period, only two were from non-dominant ethnic backgrounds.