Vihiga County Senator Godfrey Osotsi has defended the Senate’s oversight role following a heated public debate triggered by the appearance of the Vihiga County Executive before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
In a detailed statement issued after the session held on Monday, January 26, 2026, Senator Osotsi said the engagement was constitutional, timely, and strictly guided by the Auditor-General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
“The Senate is currently undertaking a crash oversight programme covering all the 47 counties in accordance with Article 229 of the Constitution, which requires Parliament to scrutinize audit reports within three months of publication,” Osotsi said.
He noted that the Auditor-General’s report was published in December 2025, making the CPAC sitting lawful and necessary.
According to the senator, the exercise is historic and could strengthen public accountability if replicated by the National Assembly.
“The CPAC session focused strictly on matters arising from the Auditor-General’s report for the 2024/25 financial year,” he said, adding that the process was aimed at improving governance and prudent use of public resources.
During the session, the Vihiga County Executive explained challenges surrounding the verification and settlement of pending bills while outlining measures being undertaken to prioritise and clear outstanding obligations.
Osotsi further revealed that since 2022, he has participated in at least 17 Senate oversight engagements touching on critical service delivery sectors in the county, including health, water, education, trade, market development, and revenue collection systems.
“These engagements resulted in Senate recommendations aimed at strengthening governance and financial controls, improving revenue management, completing and equipping the hospital plaza, whose construction began in 2018, and upgrading public markets to support traders and local economic growth,” he stated.
On the controversy surrounding an alleged house-warming event, Osotsi clarified that the matter did not initially form part of the Auditor-General’s audit queries. However, it arose after being referenced in the County Executive’s written responses, prompting senators to seek clarification.
“The committee sought further information on expenditure reportedly amounting to Sh5 million,” Osotsi said.
The County Executive also disclosed that Sh44 million had been borrowed from the County Retention Fund in 2023, of which Sh35 million has been repaid, leaving an outstanding balance of Sh9 million. Senators questioned the legality of the inter-borrowing arrangement and the delayed repayment.
“As a result, the Committee directed that the transaction be fully documented, justified within the law, and addressed in line with public finance management frameworks,” Osotsi said, adding that the Auditor-General had been instructed to conduct a follow-up audit and report back to CPAC.
Addressing allegations that he was either shielding the County Executive or using oversight as a political weapon, Osotsi issued a firm rebuttal.
“I categorically reject claims that I am either shielding the county executive from oversight or using oversight to witch-hunt it,” he said. “My actions are guided strictly by reports from constitutional and statutory bodies, including the Auditor-General, Controller of Budget, and National Treasury.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to fair and objective oversight, urging the County Executive to comply fully with CPAC directives and implement all Senate recommendations.
“Senate oversight exists to strengthen accountability, promote prudent use of public resources, and improve service delivery,” Osotsi said. “This must ultimately translate into better outcomes for the people of Vihiga County.”
