Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo is facing intense scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the hiring of county staff and questionable financial decisions that have raised alarm in the Senate. A report tabled before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reveals that the governor appointed 36 advisors, far exceeding the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommendation of only four.
The Auditor General’s report for the Financial Year 2023/2024 shows that 47 per cent of Isiolo County’s budget is being spent on salaries, a move that significantly undermines service delivery and development projects for the residents. This revelation has triggered concerns that the county’s resources are being mismanaged at the expense of the public.
Governor Guyo was also questioned over the hiring of 31 chief officers, well above the approved number of 18. According to the report, each County Executive Committee member was assigned five chief officers, each earning a salary of Ksh255,000 monthly—an arrangement that inflates the county’s wage bill substantially.
The Auditor General flagged 35 issues in the county’s financial statements, and while the county administration has responded to 18 of them, 17 remain unresolved. The senate session turned confrontational when Governor Guyo, who denied all allegations, clashed with Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, leading to a temporary halt in proceedings.
Further concerns were raised about a contract worth Ksh98.5 million awarded for the development of the Isiolo County spatial plan. The Senate committee, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, noted that the contract was awarded to a bidder who had quoted significantly higher than the lowest bidder at Ksh62.1 million. The justification offered for disqualifying the lowest bidder was that the bid was too low to guarantee delivery—an explanation senators found unconvincing.
As a result, the committee has recommended that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigate the matter. Additionally, Governor Guyo was fined Ksh500,000 for repeatedly failing to appear before various Senate committees, raising further concerns over transparency and accountability in Isiolo County governance.
