A deepening financial scandal has marred the Kajiado County Government following revelations that senior officials allegedly operated unauthorized paybill numbers to collect public revenue outside official systems.
The scheme, which ran across multiple sub-counties, allowed fees from traders, transporters, and small businesses to be diverted before reaching the County Revenue Fund therefore bypassing the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) mandated for all county transactions.
Sources confirmed that the paybills were never approved by the County Assembly or the Controller of Budget. Preliminary audits suggest that significant sums may have been siphoned off, though the exact figure remains under review.
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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations, with potential charges ranging from financial misappropriation to conspiracy to defraud.
The scandal comes amid mounting scrutiny over Kajiado’s fiscal management. Auditor-General reports from the previous financial year flagged billions of shillings in voided transactions lacking documentation, pointing to systemic failures in budgetary oversight and internal controls.
Senate committees have also raised alarm over persistent revenue leakages, citing weak enforcement mechanisms and a culture of impunity in revenue-generating departments.
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Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has yet to issue a formal statement, but sources close to his office indicate that internal disciplinary proceedings have begun. Civil society groups and elected leaders have demanded full disclosure and restitution, warning that public trust in county institutions is eroding rapidly.
The County Assembly is expected to summon key officials for questioning this week, Pressure is mounting on the county leadership to recover stolen revenue and implement a secure, transparent digital collection system that can withstand manipulation and restore public confidence.
By Masaki Enock
