Marsabit first lady trashes claims of lost funds in the county

Marsabit First Lady Alamitu Guyo Jattani has defended the county against claims that money was lost in the  2020-2021 budget.

Jattani said available documents will exonerate the county from blame and prove that the audit queries raised do not amount to lost funds as claimed.

She said the county's budget management system was in line with the Public Finance Management Act, assuring the public that the financial resources were used prudently for the benefit of Marsabit residents.

"Marsabit county budget was executed lawfully and Governor Mohamud Ali's administration has not lost a single cent that belongs to the public," she said.

She spoke on Saturday during a fund drive in aid of a university student at a Catholic hall in Marsabit.

The First Lady stated that Governor Ali's administration was not opposed to criticism.

"It is only when the criticism is malicious and misrepresents the truth that we will see a problem with it," she stated.

She said the Sh8.2 billion set for that financial year had money meant for county staff, assembly's allocation as well as other expenditures which the auditor would have captured in their report.

"The Auditor General should have recognized the payment of salaries to county staff, assembly's allocation and other expenditures in their report than saying the county can't account for the whole financial year," she said.

Alamitu defended the integrity of the county staff saying they are professionals who are qualified to serve the county.

"The county staff are professionals in their own right and qualified to serve the county government and they were doing what any human being can do. You can not dismiss them by verbal action," she said.

While echoing her sentiments, Marsabit county spokesperson Alexander Barrille Abduba stated that 90 percent of the 35 audit queries in the auditors' reports were perfectly answered.

According to the spokesperson, there was a witch-hunt rather than a genuine quest for accountability just because the governor who was formally in Azimio switched his allegiance immediately after the general election to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.

"The claim that the entire Sh8.2 billion was misappropriated was a big lie. The notion that the county government accounted for no single shilling for that financial year raises suspicion about the true intentions behind these allegations," he said.

On education, Alamitu described the county scholarship programme as a key educational support initiative the county has put in place to help needy and vulnerable students continue staying in school.

"The educational support initiative by the administration of Governor Mohamud Ali brings hope to the student and the community at large," she said.

"An educated workforce is the foundation of every community and the future of the county. Education is important to our children who are the future generation. Parents and guardians need to finance the education of their children." 

Alamitu called for the county leaders to work together for the betterment of the county residents and put aside their personal and political differences for the sake of the development of the region.

"The county can't achieve meaningful development without leaders working together. Our leaders should unite and work together for the common good of our people," she said.

The First Lady also underscored the need for peaceful coexistence among various communities.

She pointed out that skirmishes and tribal clashes have been the source of underdevelopment.

The first lady commended county residents for their commitment to enhancing peace.

Several leaders accompanied the first lady in a drive that saw 2.7 million raised to educate the university students.