Committee chair Moses Kajwang laid out the troubling details during the session. He explained that the Vihiga County Assembly has a history of borrowing and repaying funds, but this particular case stood out.
According to Kajwang, the first borrowing amounted to Ksh 35 million, which was later returned. However, more borrowing followed.
The most recent one, dated December 15, 2023, involved Ksh 5 million, which was taken specifically to finance the speaker’s housewarming ceremony.
“What is worrying,” Kajwang stated, “is that this last borrowing has not been repaid. We are now seeing a situation where the governor is effectively lending public money for housewarming parties.”
His remarks captured the frustration of the committee, which questioned how such spending could be justified when residents are crying out for basic services.
During the hearing, senators pressed the governor to explain why county funds were used for what they described as a private and non-essential event.
They pointed out that the expenditure was not authorised and did not go through the proper approval channels. This, they said, amounts to misuse of public resources.
The committee went further to accuse the county leadership of misappropriating funds taken from contractors.
According to their findings, money that should have been used to pay contractors for development projects was instead diverted to bankroll the celebration.
This has reportedly left several contractors unpaid, slowing down key projects across the county.
Senators expressed concern that such decisions send the wrong message to the public.
They noted that many health facilities in Vihiga lack medicine and equipment, while some schools are struggling with inadequate classrooms and learning materials.
In that context, spending millions on a party appeared insensitive and out of touch with the needs of ordinary people.
Governor Otichilo was put on the spot to respond to these allegations. While he acknowledged appearing before the committee, the lawmakers insisted that accountability must go beyond explanations.
They stressed that public office comes with a responsibility to prioritise the welfare of citizens over personal or political celebrations.
The Senate committee made it clear that borrowing public funds for non-essential activities is unacceptable.
Members warned that such practices, if left unchecked, could open the door to wider abuse of public resources.
They called for stricter controls and clearer rules on how county money is borrowed and spent.