Kitui Senator Enock Wambua and former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu clashed during a Senate Committee session yesterday over alleged financial mismanagement at the Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC). The heated exchanges took place as Ngilu appeared before the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee to respond to allegations of irregularities during her tenure.
Wambua accused Ngilu of politicizing the investigation into KICOTEC, asserting that substantial funds had been misappropriated through the project. He claimed that a company, Kitui County EPZ Limited, was used to seize public land in connection with KICOTEC.
“This issue isn’t about individuals; it concerns the future of Kitui’s youth. KICOTEC has been a conduit for misusing public funds. The former Governor should address these facts rather than distort them,” said Wambua.
Ngilu dismissed the allegations as “cheap politics,” defending KICOTEC as a viable initiative aimed at creating jobs for local youth. She invited the Committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, to visit Kitui and inspect the facility firsthand.
“KICOTEC was established to benefit the people of Kitui by securing contracts to manufacture staff uniforms for various counties and government bodies. Any irregularities should be addressed, but it’s disheartening to see someone discrediting a project that has brought opportunities to our youth,” she stated.
Governor Malombe Weighs In
Current Kitui Governor Julius Malombe painted a grim picture of KICOTEC’s financial health, describing it as unviable. He revealed that the textile centre had incurred a loss of Sh90 million, with only modest profits of Sh4 million in 2020 and Sh6 million in 2021.
“County governments should not engage in business ventures. The Auditor General’s inability to access key documents raises questions about the centre’s operations,” Malombe noted.
Auditor General’s Report
The Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 2022 highlighted several discrepancies, including:A wage bill showing Sh49.1 million paid to casual workers, with an additional Sh56.7 million flagged as irregular wages.
Breaches of the Employment Act, 2007, with casual workers employed beyond the stipulated three months without contracts.Rising liabilities, from Sh68 million to Sh90.7 million, coupled with a steep decline in revenue, from Sh203 million in 2021 to Sh78.6 million in 2022.Missing documentation and procedural lapses in the payment process.
Fine Lifted
Ngilu requested the Committee to lift a Sh500,000 fine imposed on her for missing earlier summonses, arguing she had only been informed through a WhatsApp message from an unfamiliar number. She suggested that official documents should have been sent to her physical addresses.
Committee Chair Osotsi agreed to suspend the fine but emphasized that WhatsApp is now recognized as an official communication tool and urged Ngilu to stay vigilant.
As the debate over KICOTEC’s future continues, the Committee plans further investigations to determine accountability and chart the way forward for the embattled textile centre.
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