Embu MCAs defend foreign trip questioned by Auditor General

Members of Embu County Assembly have distanced themselves from a financial controversy surrounding their Ksh 14 million trip to Arusha, Tanzania.

The MCAs, through their Speaker Kariuki Mate, said that matters of finance lie squarely with the executive and now wants the county treasury to account for the monies.

Mate said that the MCAs were not in any way involved in any fraudulent dealings and would not hesitate to take another trip as long as it benefits the county.

He added that the MCAs travelled following an invitation by the county executive. He, however, said that anyone found culpable of any financial impropriety in the Arusha trip will be held accountable.

“Any county official found to have misappropriated the public funds during the trip will face charges of economic crimes alone,” said Mate.

The Speaker maintained that the Tanzania trip was for a noble course saying that the MCAs actually sacrificed their time and energy for the five days to gain knowledge that would lead to economic development in Embu.

According to the Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2014/2015, Embu County is accused of spending Ksh 14,587,822 on a five-day foreign trip to Arusha.

The amount was paid out as per-diems to the 34 MCAs, 15 members of the executive and five other support staff.

The Auditor General, however, noted that the relevant supporting documents were not produced for perusal.