The Senate Public Accounts Committee has directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate alleged financial irregularities amounting to over Sh10 billion in Kiambu County, following a tense session with Governor Kimani Wamatangi in Nairobi. The senators, who raised concerns over long-standing audit queries, said the reported losses point to serious gaps in financial accountability across two previous county administrations. Governor Wamatangi, who appeared before the committee at Bunge Towers, was pressed to explain how revenue leakages, unsupported expenditures, and questionable procurement decisions had accumulated over the years.
During the grilling, the committee noted that the irregularities cited by the Auditor-General stretch back almost a decade, covering the tenures of former governors William Kabogo and Ferdinand Waititu. While Wamatangi maintained that his administration inherited a troubled financial system, senators argued that the current county leadership still has a responsibility to address persistent audit gaps. Key concerns highlighted include unaccounted-for revenue collected by departments, discrepancies in water company finances, and inconsistencies in payroll records—issues that auditors say point to systemic weaknesses in governance and oversight.
The directive to involve EACC sparked strong reactions both within the Senate and in Kiambu. Anti-graft advocates welcomed the move, saying it could finally bring accountability to one of the country’s most economically significant counties. However, some local leaders cautioned against turning the investigation into a political witch-hunt, arguing that a proper forensic audit is needed to distinguish inherited liabilities from current administrative lapses. Traders, residents, and civil society groups in Kiambu expressed hope that the probe could help recover wasted resources and restore confidence in the county’s financial management.
Going forward, the Senate has instructed Kiambu County to implement strict internal controls and provide a roadmap for sealing revenue leakages. The committee also indicated that counties across the country may face similar scrutiny as the national government tightens oversight on public expenditure. For Kiambu, the EACC investigation is expected to shape upcoming budget allocations and could influence political dynamics ahead of the next election cycle. The findings—once released—may determine whether the county finally turns a page on years of audit concerns or faces further sanctions.