Senators have launched investigations into the alleged misuse, misdirection, and diversion of emergency funds by county governments, raising concerns about the effectiveness of disaster management in Kenya. The funds, which are meant to mitigate disasters such as floods, fires, and droughts, have reportedly been diverted for other uses, including the payment of salaries, exposing counties to increased vulnerability in the face of emergencies.
The investigation, led by the Senate’s Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, comes amid damning audit reports by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu. These reports have highlighted the failure of many counties to properly allocate emergency funds or set aside adequate amounts to address disasters when they arise.
Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the use of emergency funds, particularly in the wake of devastating floods that affected thousands last year. Over 294 people lost their lives, 55,000 households were displaced, and vast agricultural lands were destroyed. Despite the scale of these disasters, there has been little accountability regarding how the funds were used to mitigate the damage.
Senators are also concerned about how donations from humanitarian organizations, such as the Kenya Red Cross and the World Food Programme, are managed at the county level. Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda has called for transparency in the use of funds in flood-prone areas, especially in Nyando, where communities have been repeatedly displaced by floods. He emphasized the need for a long-term strategy for flood mitigation and climate resilience.
Lamu Senator Kamau Githuku further criticized the lack of compensation for flood victims, despite counties setting aside funds for emergencies. Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda added that counties need to hire qualified personnel to manage disaster funds and ensure that preventive measures are in place to reduce the impact of seasonal floods.
As the rainy season intensifies, lawmakers are demanding clear answers and accountability from both national and county governments to ensure that emergency funds are used for their intended purpose: to protect lives and property during crises.
