I'm clean, I have no audit issues - Governor Lenku

Governor Joseph Lenku has said he fully cleared audit issues raised by the auditor general regarding the Sh3.5 billion unaccounted project money.

Two weeks ago, Lenku appeared before the senate over the same issues and clarified that the audit was carried out during the Covid-19 period when most of his officers were working from home.

While appearing on the K24 TV talk show on Monday night, Lenku claimed the auditors were unable to find hard copies of accounting documents during the period when his officers were away.

In the auditor general’s report, the county failed to account for the Sh3.5 billion development money, forcing the senate to summon Lenku to clear the air over the same.

As regards the amount of Sh120 million spent on the infamous Paai bridge that collapsed only 7 days after it was inaugurated, Lenku said the accident was regrettable.

“We said it was the act of God because we were not executing it to happen. But I am assuring the people of Kajiado that the contractor will repair that bridge without requesting more money,” said Lenku.

The governor said as soon as he was elected in 2017, he addressed the issues of peace and cohesion among the people of Kajiado and, thereafter, dealt with the “runaway” issues of health.

He claimed that before he came in as Kajiado governor, hospitals in the county had no facilities, doctors, and nurses, but he has been able to fix every dressing issue as required.

“Before I came in, the people of Kajiado sought medical services in Machakos, Makueni, and Nairobi. I am now happy that my scorecard on health has stood out well,” said Lenku.

He said the county has been able to promote 4 health centres to Level 4 hospitals in Kitengela, Loitokitok, Ongata Rongai, and Ngong.

On the development of roads, Lenku claimed that all the urban centres in the county have tarmac roads which were constructed by the World Bank in collaboration with the national government.

Lenku said that during his first term as governor, he was able to fix the messy land register in Kajiado with a complete mapping of the entire county indicating where the industrial areas, towns, and farmlands are located.