Earlier today, the County Public Accounts Committee held a meeting with Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichilo to look into the County's financial accounts for the 2019/20 Financial year.

At the meeting, the governor defended his administration over questions raised by the Auditor General that it is operating too many bank accounts in which transactions were being conducted outside IFMIS.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has noted in her report that the County is operating a total of 96 bank accounts in different commercial banks whose details were not provided for audit.

The governor defended himself saying the accounts are special purpose being operated as part of donor conditionality to access funds to implement projects.

While the law requires counties to operate accounts in the Central Bank of Kenya, there are exemptions though.

Counties can operate accounts in commercial banks only if County Executive Committee member in charge of finance gave authorisation.

"In some cases, Counties receive lots of donor funds with condition that they operate special purpose bank accounts outside the Central Bank," he said.

"Most donors insist on the County operating a commercial bank account before they release funds.

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