Arati to appear before Senate over audit queries
Kisii Governor Simba Arati. Photo/Charles Magati
The Senate now says Kisii Governor Simba Arati is courting arrest for constantly skipping its committee summons.
Consequently, the governor was Tuesday given a final order to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee to explain audit queries on financial reports 2021 /2022 and 2022 /2923.
The Senate now mulls using the police to ferry Mr Arati to the sittings should he
he fails to turn up for the December 5th, 2024 summon according to aletter dispatched to the Governor.
The Senate has constantly fingered Mr Arati for 'slighting numerous various committee summons' citing 'busy engagements' or international travel commitments' as albi.
On December 5, 2024, the Public Accounts wants him to, among other things, explain audit expenditure queries in the the 2021/2022 budget and 2022/23.
The invite Tuesday this week came with a rider though that should he fail he would be arrested, slapped with a fine or serve a jail sentence or both.
“Take this note that should you fail to attend before the committee on the date and time spelt on this summon or produce the documentation required by the committee, the committee may impose on you a fine not exceeding Sh500,000 or may order for your arrest pursuant to section 19 (1) and c (I) respectively, of the parliamentary powers and privileges for which you shall be liable for conviction or a fine not exceeding Sh200,000 or a jail term not exceeding six(6) months, or both a fine and imprisonment,” said the letter signed by JM Nyengenye, Senate Clerk.
The Senate has revoked the November 13, 2024, summon after the embattled County boss absconded without giving reason.
The Senate County Public Accounts Committee is mandated to among other things, examine reports of the Auditor on the annual accounts of the County Governments
Mr Arati was at first invited by the same committee on June 27, 2024, but declined the invitation and requested that it be rescheduled.
On June 18, 2024, the date he had agreed to attend, he failed again to turn up.
He later excused himself from a summon on September 2, 2024, and requested that he turns up on September 10, 2024.
He too absconded.
The Senate cited more other six(6) similar invitations to which Governor Arati failed to honour
Last week, Arati during an appearance before the Senate's Devolution committee cited the frosty relationship with Senator Richard Onyonka among reasons for low absorbtion of development funds in his County.
On December 5, 2024, Mr Arati is expected to turn up with written responses regarding the audit of the fiscal years 2021/22 and 2022/23.
He is expected to provide written responses in regards to the receiver of revenue statements for financial years 2021/22 and 2022/23 and the County Revenue Fund for the fiscal years.
