Turkana County Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai appeared before the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, today, to answer questions about audit concerns within three county funds. The committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, focused on the Turkana County Education and Skills Development Fund, the Turkana County Executive State and Public Officers Car Loan and Mortgage Scheme Fund, and the Turkana County Emergency Fund.

The appearance stemmed from Auditor-General reports covering 2020 to 2022, which highlighted potential irregularities in these funds. Senator Osotsi expressed the committee's concern, stating, "There are instances where the Acts that establish these funds offends national legislations... I therefore on behalf of the committee direct you, the Governor, to ensure that all pieces of county legislation do not offend existing National Legislations and where there are inconsistencies, national legislations take precedence.”

The committee issued several recommendations. Primarily, they directed the governor to instruct the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Finance to establish internal control systems. These include an Internal Audit Committee as provided in the 2012 Public Finance Management Act, and a Risk Management Policy as mandated by the 2015 Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations.

Additionally, the committee called for the CECM to ensure internal borrowing practices align with existing law and to ensure timely submission of documents by the Fund Administrator during the audit process in accordance with the 2015 Public Audit Act. Failure to meet these requirements could result in investigations and prosecutions.

The Governor has 60 days to implement these recommendations and provide evidence of compliance to the Office of the Auditor-General.