Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu faced the the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee which is chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi to address audit queries relating to the Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC).
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua accused Ngilu of misappropriating funds through the textile center, alleging the creation of a shell company, Kitui County EPZ Limited, to seize public land.
“This issue isn’t about Governor Julius Malombe or former Governor Charity Ngilu; it concerns the future of Kitui’s youth, KICOTEC has been a conduit for misusing public funds, and a lot of money was lost which could have gone to provide services to our people. The former Governor should address these facts rather than distort them.” The Senator said.
Ngilu countered the allegations and dismissed Wambua’s claims as politically motivated while accusing Wambua of engaging in “cheap politics” and urged the committee to visit Kitui and inspect the project firsthand.
“KICOTEC was in my manifesto when I was campaigning, it was in CIDP and ADP and the money was given through the County Assembly. It was a pioneering county parastatal under my administration, creating jobs for the youth and securing contracts to manufacture uniforms. It is a viable enterprise that deserves support, but it’s disappointing to see someone discrediting a project that benefits Kitui people. If this is about politics, I can play politics too.” Ngilu answered Kiio.
Kitui Governor Julius Malombe painted a starkly different picture, describing KICOTEC as financially unviable. He reported losses of Sh 90 million and modest profits of Sh4 million in 2020 and Sh6 million in 2021.
“Work which has been done on KICOTEC assessment has come to conclusion that it is not Viable and not sustainable. We have come to the conclusion as the County Executive Committee that it is not viable and we are not going to go on with it.” Malombe told the committee.
Ngilu dismissed the remarks saying there has always been a plot to close the Textile company, especially from her political opponents.
The Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 2022 revealed several irregularities, including discrepancies in the wage bill, unsubstantiated payments to casual workers, and a sharp decline in revenue. Concerns were also raised about missing documentation and inadequate record-keeping.
The Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee resolved to visit KICOTEC to establish the situation firsthand while seeking the intervention of the Budget office and Auditor General’s office over the audit queries.
