The Kilifi County government is under intense scrutiny following allegations of financial mismanagement, with outspoken blogger Cyprian Is Nyakundi shedding light on questionable dealings under Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s administration.
Suppliers and contractors are struggling to stay afloat as the county grapples with pending bills, while essential sectors like health remain severely underfunded, leaving residents in dire straits.
As of June 30, 2024, Kilifi County reported a staggering Kshs. 2.21 billion in pending bills, divided between the county executive and assembly.
However, the true extent of the financial crisis seems much worse.
Reports indicate that the actual amount of pending bills may have soared to Kshs. 6 billion, a hidden sum that has not been accounted for by the Controller of Budget (CoB).
This discrepancy points to potential corruption, with claims that much of this money was allocated for non-existent supplies, allegedly benefiting top county officials.
Cyprian Is Nyakundi has played a big role in exposing these irregularities, increasing pressure on Governor Mung’aro and his administration.
One shocking example of mismanagement involves the education department, where pending bills have risen from Kshs. 24.5 million to Kshs. 105 million in a single year, with no proper documentation to justify the payments.
Investigations have revealed that a company connected to county officials received funds for Early Childhood Development (ECD) furniture that was never delivered, raising serious concerns about fraud and favoritism within the procurement process.
Sources within the county finance department suggest that the pending bills committee operates based on nepotism and favoritism, with payments often made to those with personal ties to the governor and senior officials.
This has led to claims that the procurement system is rigged to favor a select group of contractors and suppliers.
Businesspeople have expressed frustration, alleging that they are being locked out of county contracts despite meeting all procurement regulations.
Many believe the system is designed to benefit well-established companies that are well-connected to those in power.Kilifi County’s financial handling also raises red flags.
In the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, the county generated Kshs. 231.03 million in revenue but allocated a disproportionate Kshs. 1.17 billion to recurrent expenses, leaving just 27 percent for development programs.
Locals have criticized the lack of visible progress in the wards, despite the county receiving Kshs. 12.5 billion from the national exchequer.
Governor Mung’aro is further under scrutiny for the alleged misuse of Kshs. 750 million allocated to county-established funds, including Kshs. 250 million meant for emergencies.
There are also concerns about the governor’s “Wezesha Fund,” a revolving loan program that was supposed to support small-scale traders.
While the governor claims it has benefited over 50 groups, critics, including an anonymous MCA, allege the funds are being funneled to proxy firms tied to senior officials and the governor himself.
