During a Senate oversight committee meeting last week, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu highlighted that counties should not operate more than 10 bank accounts. She warned that having too many accounts could be a method for embezzling public funds.
“Sometimes you find a dormant account for three years and suddenly there is money channeled inside, then all of a sudden it disappears. When you follow up, you find it’s a vehicle to transfer money,” Gathungu said.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch pointed out the inconsistency in account management across counties, noting, “You find county X is using the same services with 10 accounts, but county Y is doing the same with 200 accounts.”
Gathungu responded by saying, “More than 10 bank accounts, to me, is a no. So, operating 300 bank accounts does not make sense to me.” She added, “I think we should minimize bank accounts; we should have one or two expenditure accounts. We don’t need 300.”
Counties with Fewest Accounts
According to Nyakango’s report, counties with the fewest bank accounts include West Pokot (four), Vihiga (five), Kitui (five), Nandi (seven), Kisumu (eight), and Kilifi (10). Trans Nzoia, Marsabit, Isiolo, Homa Bay, and Garissa have 11 accounts each, while Nakuru and Laikipia each have 12. Wajir, Nyamira, Kisii, Turkana, and Elgeyo Marakwet have between 15 and 17 accounts.
The Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abbas, is investigating the counties with numerous bank accounts. Last month, the committee questioned Governor Kenneth Lusaka about the necessity of so many accounts.
Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute asked Lusaka, “Did you follow the law in opening the accounts?” Lusaka defended his administration’s account practices, stating that his county operates 10 public funds accounts, nine special purpose accounts, and a project management account, as well as nine sub-county imprest accounts, two Mabanga operation accounts, and 19 accounts for Level 4 and 5 hospitals.
He clarified, “Most of the accounts belong to vocational training centres and health facilities and dispensaries in the county.”
Notice of Leadership Changes
The recent dispute began two weeks ago when Maina submitted a notice to the speaker proposing leadership changes, targeting dissenters from Barasa’s faction for removal. ODM has insisted on replacing Maina with Ondiro and urged Namatsi to implement the change before his upcoming meeting with the CMC.
Governor Barasa is facing increasing opposition from within his party and from his deputy. Barasa is under fire for allegedly mismanaging the county and failing to fulfill his pre-election promises to both individuals and the broader Kakamega community, even after two years in office.
Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has been
Savula has previously accused Barasa of incompetence, citing abandoned projects due to unpaid contractor dues. “The county government is literally on its deathbed. We are unable to deliver even very basic services such as the regular supply of drugs in our medical facilities. I feel we have betrayed our people,” Savula said during an event in Khwisero constituency last weekend.
