By Mandere Onyinkwa
The County Government of Busia has dismissed allegations made by Senator Okiya Omtatah, who recently claimed that Governor Paul Nyongesa Otuoma had misappropriated public funds.
In a press release signed by Oscar Kwena Obonyo, Director of the Governor’s Press Unit, the county administration categorically dismissed the claims as “fabricated, baseless, and lacking institutional legitimacy.”
Senator Omtatah, known for his activism and legal battles against government excesses, released what he termed an “audit report” implicating Governor Otuoma in financial misconduct.
The report details allleged irregularities in county expenditures and accuses the governor of mismanaging public resources.
Illegitimate report
However, the County Government of Busia has refuted the legitimacy of this report, arguing that the Senator has no constitutional mandate to audit public accounts.
“The Auditor General is the only entity mandated to audit and report on the use and management of public resources,” the statement reads, citing Article 229 of the Constitution of Kenya.
The county’s response emphasizes that all financial documentation has been duly submitted to the Auditor General, whose reports are routinely presented to the Senate for scrutiny.
The statement accuses Senator Omtatah of overstepping his role and attempting to usurp the functions of constitutionally established institutions.
“The purported audit report lacks legal grounding and institutional legitimacy,” the statement asserts. “It is a deliberate attempt to malign the integrity of Governor Otuoma and tarnish the reputation of Busia County.”
The County Government warns that the dissemination of false and malicious information could lead to legal repercussions.
It references the Penal Code and Section 29 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, which criminalize the spread of unverified and defamatory content.
The Otuoma led administration has demanded an immediate withdrawal of the allegations and a public apology from Senator Omtatah.
Governor Otuoma, a seasoned politician and former Cabinet Minister, has been credited with spearheading development initiatives in the county, including infrastructure upgrades and healthcare reforms.
His administration has also been lauded for embracing digital governance and transparency tools, such as e-procurement systems and open budget portals.
Meanwhile, the Auditor General’s office has yet to release its official report on Busia’s financial year 2023/2024, which could either vindicate or challenge the county’s assertions.
The County Government of Busia reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and professionalism.
“We welcome audit and oversight—when conducted by the right institutions and within the boundaries of law and decorum,” the statement said.
