Vihiga County has found itself at the center of a national controversy after revelations from the Auditor-General’s report showed that the county executive loaned the County Assembly Sh5 million to fund the Speaker’s official residence house-warming party.
The disclosure has triggered intense debate over fiscal accountability and the prioritization of public funds.
The report indicates that the controversial loan was processed despite the county struggling with pending bills amounting to billions of shillings, raising eyebrows over the prioritization of luxury over essential services.
Lawmakers grilled Governor Wilber Otichilo during a fiery assembly session, pressing him on how public funds meant for development and service delivery were diverted for what some have called “a personal celebration.”
Governor Otichilo faced tough questioning as he admitted that allocating the Sh5 million was a difficult decision.
He explained that the county was grappling with unpaid contractors, delayed salaries, and mounting bills but insisted the loan was “an emergency arrangement to facilitate the Speaker’s official functions.”
MPs, however, remained unconvinced, with some accusing the county executive of mismanagement and a lack of transparency.
The incident has sparked national outrage and intensified calls for stronger oversight on how counties utilize public funds.
