Embattled governor Ranguma accused of impropriety and abuse of office

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma (centre) addresses the Press in his office on Monday June 30, 2015 after coming back from official trip to Asia. The governor reaffirmed that the Sh360 million Nyalenda slum upgrade fund have not been withdrawn by donor. The governor was flanked by CEC for Communication Mr Michael Onyango (left) and Energy and Mining Chief Officer Ms Lilian Ogombo (right). PHOTO BY KEVINE OMOLLO/STANDARD

 

Revenue collection in Kisumu County has dropped drastically compared to the billions of shillings raised by the defunct Municipal Council, according to three county officials and leaders.

During the hearing of a petition by the Senate's joint committee on Finance and Devolved Governments, besieged Governor Jack Ranguma was chided for withholding county assembly funds and paralysing its operations.

The officials criticised him for interfering with the budget making and failing to initiate development in the last two years.

Yesterday, senators probing the matter expressed shock at the sorry state of affairs in the county, and asked the governor to defend himself against the allegations levelled against him by Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga, acting Assembly Speaker Pamela Omino and Clerk Owen Ojuok.

Other leaders who made their submissions included former mayors of the defunct Kisumu Municipal Council, Shakil Shabir (MP Kisumu East) and Prisca Ayuma who said that the county revenue generation is below expectation.

The governor will also be grilled over claims of breach of Public Finance Management (PFM) Act and abuse of office by allegedly awarding vehicles to loyal Members of the County Assembly.

 leadership wrangles

Ms Auma recalled that in 2011/2012 fiscal year, the council collected Sh1.14 billion and regretted that the figures declared by the county government are worrying.

"The governor dismantled all revenue collection systems, which we used then. He has refused to appoint a city management board to operate independently and reconcile the revenue collections as required by law," said Auma.

She added: "Revenue collection has become a cash cow for the county government, where it withdraws daily funds. There is so much money in parking and market fees. We collected Sh1.14 billion when we had the defunct municipal council, now we have five more defunct local authorities yet the figure cannot even hit a billion."

Mr Shabir concurred with Auma, saying that between 2000 and 2001 when he served as mayor, the council collected over Sh800 million, and that over Sh30 million on the minimum was collected monthly.

Ms Omino stunned the senators when she accused Ranguma of refusing to release the county assembly vote, and fuelling the leadership wrangles that resulted in the standoff between the two arms of government.

"The governor must appear before this committee to respond to the allegations," said Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.