This archive report was first published on 9 January 2020.
On January 9, 2020, Wajir County government officials responded to allegations of corruption made by Senator Abdullahi Ali.
According to the county's Director of Communications, Ahmed Abdi Hussein, the claims were 'unsubstantiated and far-fetched.'
Senator Ali had raised concerns over huge pending bills, misuse of emergency funds, poor service delivery, and corruption in the county.
Other leaders, including Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi and nominated Senator Farhiya Haji, also complained about corruption and failure to settle pending bills.
However, Mr. Hussein stated that the remarks by Senator Ali created unnecessary tension and hatred among residents.
He added that the true position of the pending bills is captured in the 2018/2019 financial statement.
The county reported a cumulative sum of Sh2.7 billion as pending bills by the end of June 2018.
A special audit firm was appointed to verify the county's pending bills, and its report indicated the eligible and ineligible bills.
Mr. Hussein said that the county had since paid Sh2 billion of the eligible bills and presented a phased plan to clear the remaining balance of Sh344 million within the next five months.
He also stated that the county used the emergency fund in the 2017/2018 financial year to mitigate against drought and disease outbreaks.
On Wednesday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani named Wajir among the nine counties that had presented clear, acceptable, eligible pending bills payment plans.
