Moses Kajwang: Governors must be held to account

How do you feel when you see billions of shillings flagged in audit reports as unaccounted for at the county level?

 I feel very sad. What worries me most is not just the figures, but the reaction or lack of it from Kenyans. We seem to have settled for mediocrity. The  reports from the Office of the Auditor-General are a cocktail of illegality, imprudence and, in some cases, outright criminality. Yet many people treat them as mere inconveniences rather than urgent calls to action.

 That’s a strong indictment of both leadership and the public. Can you give an example of what you mean?

 There was a county that spent over Sh110 million clearing a bush called Madenge. When auditors went on the ground, they found bare land and were told, “It was cleared, that’s why you see nothing.” That’s the kind of explanation we are dealing with. And yet, there is no outrage.

 Why do you think there is such limited public outrage over these issues?

 Because we have normalised low standards. If you are not outraged, nothing changes. These figures Sh3 million here, Sh37 million there may sound abstract. But Sh3 million can build three ECDE classrooms. It can stock a hospital with medicine. It can pay teachers. When you contextualize it, you see the real loss.

 And yet, governors often push back, sometimes aggressively, against your committee’s work. Why is that?

 It is a culture problem. We have built a system where elected leaders see themselves as above scrutiny. The title “Excellency” has gone to people’s heads. They forget that they are custodians of public resources, not owners. So when they are summoned to explain how they spent taxpayers’ money, they feel attacked.

 Some governors have even accused your committee of harassment and extortion. How do you respond?

 Those are serious allegations, and they must be proven. Extortion is a criminal offense. We have asked anyone with evidence to present it to Parliament or investigative agencies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. You cannot make blanket accusations without proof. What we are doing is oversight a constitutional duty.

 You’ve also changed how the committee operates, including live-streaming proceedings. Has that contributed to the discomfort among governors?

 Transparency makes people uncomfortable, especially if they have something to hide. We were the first committee to go live. We wanted Kenyans to see for themselves what is happening. When citizens watch governors struggle to explain questionable expenditures, it creates accountability.

 But even when issues are exposed, action seems slow. Kenyans often ask, why does it take so long for those implicated to face consequences?

 That is one of the biggest challenges. The system is a chain. The Auditor-General audits, Parliament provides oversight, investigative agencies probe, and the Judiciary adjudicates. The problem is that while the Constitution gives timelines to the Auditor-General and Parliament, there are no strict timelines for investigations or prosecutions.

 So what needs to change?

 We need to introduce timelines across the board. For example, investigations should not take years. Prosecutions should be concluded within a defined period — say six months. Without timelines, cases drag on indefinitely, and justice is delayed or denied.

 Is Parliament doing enough to address this gap?

 We must take responsibility. There have been proposals before, including during constitutional reform discussions, to limit timelines for corruption cases. We need to revisit that. Even if it’s not through law immediately, we can agree on service-level agreements between institutions.

 You’ve also spoken about governors mobilizing public sympathy when they are questioned. How does that affect accountability?

 It undermines it. Instead of answering questions, some leaders go back to their counties and turn it into a political issue. They attack the institutions doing oversight. It becomes a narrative of victimhood rather than accountability. That’s dangerous.

 From your experience, are there counties that are doing things right?

 There are a few that present clean or near-clean records. That shows it is possible. The problem is not the system, it is the individuals managing it. Where there is discipline and proper structures, things work.

 Speaking of structures, you’ve insisted that governors appear before your committee with their technical teams. Why is that important?

 Because governance is not a one-man show. You need internal auditors, procurement officers, HR professionals, and legal advisors. These are regulated professions. When they are sidelined, mistakes or misconduct happen. We want to institutionalize accountability, not personalise it.

 What will it take to change the culture of resistance to accountability?

 Two things: public outrage and institutional discipline. Kenyans must demand better. At the same time, institutions must enforce the law without fear or favour. Leaders must remember that power is a responsibility, not a privilege. The day we raise our standards as a country is the day accountability will stop being resisted.