Siaya County government has called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to expedite investigations into alleged embezzlement of Sh600 million by the former regime.
A statement by Chief of Staff Cyrus Oguna said the county regretted that the investigations have been dragging on for more than two years now.
"We suspect that this figure could even be more than what was initially being investigated,” read the statement.
Oguna lamented that the investigations commenced before the current administration assumed office and are yet to be concluded.
In October 2022, some staff of the county government were picked and their homes raided with vital documents collected which EACC indicated would aid it in the investigations.
"This gave the impression that the commission had zeroed down on the key suspects in the alleged embezzlement of public funds,” he said.
"However, more than eight months since the current administration took over the leadership of the county, there has not been any major step taken by the commission towards conclusion and, or prosecution of anyone suspected to have been involved in the misappropriation of public money despite calls for them to speed up and conclude the investigations,” he added.
Oguna censured the Commission for remaining silent on the issue, with no report or brief either to the governor or the people of Siaya who are the primary victims of the loss public money.
"The silence by the Commission has created room for speculation and discussion on the ongoing investigations, an issue which would otherwise have been avoided had the process been concluded in good time," he explained.
The county noted that there have been allegations directed against the County Government of Siaya regarding financial mismanagement.
"The allegations have been largely attributed to an individual. These allegations are malicious and ill intended," Oguna said.
The county has also asked EACC to conduct other investigations into any violations against the law and, or code of ethics by state and public officers.
Oguna wants EACC to investigate whether officers from certain communities or subcounties within Siaya County have been victimised or unfairly targeted by the administration.
He also wants the commission to probe whether monies initially allocated for Siaya County Stadium have been irregularly, or at all reallocated to Migwena Stadium
