A report by the Baringo County Assembly Public Accounts and Investment Committee has revealed that Ksh.20,000 was used to purchase a meat chopping board.
The report adopted by the County Assembly on Monday further showed that payment for the kitchen equipment was also done through the wrong means by the previous county assembly (2013-2017).
The supplier of the chopping board — Brandhouse Solutions — was paid upon delivery and receipts issued immediately. This is contrary to the public electronic procurement system known as Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS).
The overpriced purchase was blamed on mismanagement of public funds, with members of the county assembly wanting those responsible to be held to account.
“How can a piece of wood which is not more than Ksh.2,000 sell at Ksh.20,000? This is pure wastage of public resources and those responsible for the purchase should be surcharged the amount in excess of the market price at the time,” said Nominated MCA Saphina Chelagat.
It has also emerged that Ksh.17 million was used to renovate and paint a restaurant for MCAs, but the figures were exaggerated from the initial Ksh.2 million.