Nakuru Residents Demand Clarity Over 311 Flagged County Bank Accounts

Residents of Nakuru County have formally challenged the county government to explain the presence of 311 bank accounts flagged by the Controller of Budget (CoB), raising concerns about financial transparency and accountability. According to a letter submitted by concerned citizens, the volume of flagged accounts suggests systemic internal controls issues, given that the county is required under law to maintain one consolidated account for routine public funds.
The investigation by the CoB first surfaced in recent auditing rounds when discrepancies were detected in the number of operational accounts held by the county government. The flagged 311 accounts appear to exceed standard protocol under the Public Finance Management Act, which mandates a streamlined treasury structure. Residents, many of whom are affiliated with local civic groups, say the lack of explanation from county officials is worrying and calls for a forensic audit. They note that no detail has been provided as to when the accounts were opened, their purpose, or how funds flowed through them.
The implications are significant. With public confidence already strained around devolved governance, this revelation has triggered renewed calls for both the county and national oversight bodies to act. Some observers warn that unaccounted-for accounts could harbour illicit transactions, skew procurement processes or enable misallocation of resources intended for development. In response, county officials have indicated they are reviewing the matter, though concrete action or timelines remain unclear.
Looking ahead, residents want clear, publicly-accessible information about each flagged account, proposed remedial measures and stakeholder involvement in any audit process. Civic activists urge the county to publish a full register of these accounts and work with the CoB and other audit agencies to restore trust. If handled transparently, this crisis could become an opportunity to strengthen the financial management frameworks within Kenya’s devolved units.