The grilling came amid heightened scrutiny of county expenditure, with Senators pressing the governor on the justification, procurement process and value for money regarding the construction and furnishing of the residence.
Several Senators questioned whether the payment adhered to existing procurement laws and whether due diligence had been observed.
“The taxpayers’ money must be accounted for and any expenditure outside the law cannot be condoned,” said one Senate committee member.
Jeremiah Lomorukai defended the payment, insisting that it was meant to provide a secure official residence for the governor, a necessity given the security challenges in the region.
Auditor General reports, which often serve as the basis for Senate oversight, revealed anomalies in the tendering process, suggesting that competitive bidding may not have been properly conducted.
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Senators probed these findings, demanding explanations about contractors engaged, budget approvals, and whether alternative, cost effective options were considered.
The session, which lasted several hours, also touched on other county projects under scrutiny, highlighting broader concerns over financial management in Turkana County.
Some Senators warned that repeated irregularities could trigger further investigations or sanctions against county leadership.
Jeremiah Lomorukai pledged full cooperation with the Senate and Auditor General’s office, assuring the committee that all processes would be reviewed and corrective measures taken if any irregularities were confirmed.
The matter is likely to continue generating public interest as Kenyans watch closely how leaders manage public funds, especially in counties with large budgets and pressing development needs.
