By The Weekly Vision Team
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma is facing accusations from a section of his own county staff over financial malpractice. Allegations have been made against the governor for deliberately withholding the remittances of statutory deductions.
Several employees, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, have informed The Weekly Vision that the county’s finance department has been deducting money from their salaries but failing to transfer it to the necessary entities. The annoyed employees are presently voicing their grievances about the substantial fines they are obligated to pay for not servicing their Sacco loans due to non-remittance by their employer.
The Higher Education Loans Board, the National Hospital Insurance Fund, and the NSSF are facing challenges due to non-remittance. This has resulted in county staff being unable to access loan facilities or pay school fees, leading to a standstill in the loan process. The county staff has divulged that the deductions were last remitted in November of 2023. Curiously, no remittances have been made in January, February, and March 2024, even though deductions have been made.
Governor Otuoma is being urged by the staff to intervene to facilitate the remittance of deductions. This is crucial as it will enable county staff to access loan facilities, utilize NHI cards for medical purposes, and ensure timely repayment of HELP loans, thereby preventing any unnecessary penalties. Accusations have also been directed at Topister Wanyama, who serves as the CECM for County Treasury and Economic Planning.
