Senators Outraged After Audit Shows Governor Otichilo Borrowed KSh5 Million for Speaker’s Housewarming Party
Vihiga Governor Wilbur Otichilo has come under sharp scrutiny from senators after an audit revealed that KSh5 million in county funds was borrowed to finance a housewarming party for the Vihiga County Assembly Speaker.
The revelations emerged on Monday, January 26, when Governor Otichilo appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) to respond to audit queries on the use of public funds. Senators questioned the decision to finance an extravagant celebration at a time when the county is grappling with shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and service delivery.
According to the committee, the expenditure was unauthorised and amounted to misappropriation of public funds. Senators were told that the money used for the housewarming was borrowed from contractors and had not been repaid.
Committee chairperson Moses Kajwang’ said the borrowing raised serious red flags and pointed to a troubling pattern of financial mismanagement within the county government.
“The funds borrowed and returned by the Vihiga Assembly include an initial borrowing of KSh35 million. There have been subsequent borrowings, and the last borrowing, on December 15, 2023, was KSh5 million to finance the Speaker’s housewarming, which has not been repaid,” Kajwang’ said.
“The governor is now lending for housewarming.”
Senators questioned the justification for using public funds for a private residence event, even if the funds were borrowed temporarily. They noted that such resources should have been directed toward official legislative functions.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei expressed concern over the apparent lack of clear guidelines on the use of public money.
“There must be proper justification, even if it is legal or an official function,” Cherargei said. “Is there a threshold on how public money should be used? Maybe we are giving them too much money until they decide to throw a housewarming.”
When pressed to explain how the funds were approved and released, Governor Otichilo said the request originated from the County Assembly leadership and was forwarded to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of finance and economic planning. He said the executive approved the request because both the county assembly and the executive draw funds from the same revenue fund.
However, when asked to provide documentation demonstrating that the process followed the law, the county executive failed to table evidence to support the claim.
Governor Otichilo maintained that the event was an official government function and insisted that the funds were later reimbursed, a position that was disputed by the committee.
“I do not know the documentation here, but what I know is that the function that took place at the Speaker’s place was an official function,” Otichilo said.
“The money that was given was for the official opening of the Speaker’s house. That is what I know.”
Senators also raised concerns over the construction of the Speaker’s residence itself, noting that it is the subject of separate audit queries over alleged exaggerated costs.
“This money is not justifiable. In my own opinion, this money should be refunded,” Cherargei added.
The committee directed Governor Otichilo to return with clearer answers and take administrative action, warning that the governor appeared to be sidelined in key financial decisions. Senators further demanded that officers involved in the transaction be held accountable and charged where necessary.
During the same sitting, the committee also ordered the governor to surcharge accounting officers over more than KSh1.9 million issued as salary advances to county employees between 2015 and 2017, after it emerged that the funds were never recovered.
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Senators Outraged After Audit Shows Governor Otichilo Borrowed KSh5 Million for Speaker’s Housewarming Party
