The walls may be closing in on Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich. Explosive revelations about irregular hiring, ghost payments, and systemic abuse of public funds have put the county boss on the radar of the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations.
What began as routine concerns about payroll management has ballooned into a full-blown corruption scandal, with Senator William Kisang at the center of the storm, demanding a full probe into Governor Rotich’s administration.
As damning details emerge, pressure mounts on Rotich to answer how millions were lost under his watch.
Senator Demands Probe Into Payroll Mess as Evidence of Rotich’s Looting Tactics Mounts
Senator William Kisang has ignited a political firestorm by demanding a Senate probe into glaring payroll irregularities and unchecked corruption in the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government.
At the heart of his claims is what appears to be a deliberate looting scheme, orchestrated under the leadership of Governor Wesley Rotich.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Devolution on Tuesday, July 22, Senator Kisang exposed how Governor Rotich’s administration manipulated staffing and finance systems for personal and political gain. The senator painted a damning picture of a county plagued by mismanagement, rule-bending, and outright theft.
Kisang pointed to a troubling pattern: the mysterious reassignments of officials between contract and permanent roles, including former County Executive Committee Members (CECs) and Chief Officers (COs) returning to lower positions.
This, he argued, was not only irregular but also a loophole to retain political allies and secure loyalty at the expense of professionalism and transparency.
But it didn’t stop there. The senator also questioned how certain officers were handpicked for promotion, bypassing legal job group progression and recruitment protocols like interviews.
In essence, Rotich’s administration allegedly ran a shadow HR system where favoritism, not merit, dictated hiring and promotion.
Corrupt Wesley Rotich Linked to Dubious Payments Worth Millions
The most shocking revelation from Senator Kisang’s testimony was the alleged looting of millions through shady payroll schemes.
According to documents presented to the committee, Ksh11.3 million was irregularly paid as special house allowance to 156 employees—without approval or documentation.
“These payments were made without following the laid-down procedures, and no justification was provided,” Kisang stated.
Even more troubling, an additional Ksh3 million was paid to 25 employees as special salary for an entire year. This, despite public service guidelines that prohibit such payments without clear legal backing.
“This is not negligence,” Kisang added. “It is deliberate looting.”
Governor Rotich’s administration is also accused of delaying or failing to pay staff salaries across three fiscal years—2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025—raising questions about how money meant for salaries was used.
“If funds were allocated, why weren’t they disbursed to workers?” Kisang asked.
He further demanded an audit of how the county budget was utilized, accusing the governor of prioritizing dubious allowances over paying genuine workers on time.
The senator didn’t stop there. He flagged 11 employees who have been on probation for longer than legally permitted and exposed the presence of at least seven senior officers who are past the retirement age of 60 but still remain on the county payroll.
Senate Targets Corrupt Wesley Rotich as Probe Gains Momentum
The Senate Committee is now under pressure to act swiftly. Senator Kisang’s evidence has not only rattled the political establishment in Elgeyo Marakwet but has also put Governor Rotich’s legacy on the line.
“There’s no excuse for such levels of mismanagement,” Kisang told reporters. “This is public money. It must be accounted for.”
The committee is expected to summon Governor Rotich to respond to the allegations in person. If found culpable, he could face sanctions ranging from administrative penalties to legal prosecution, depending on the findings.
Inside sources indicate the committee is also looking into the possibility of a broader corruption ring operating within the County Public Service Board, with links to key figures in Rotich’s inner circle.
Residents of Elgeyo Marakwet have begun demanding answers, with civil society groups calling for Governor Rotich to step aside to allow for an independent and transparent investigation.
“This is not just about numbers on paper,” said a member of the Elgeyo Marakwet Civil Rights Forum. “This is about integrity, justice, and the future of our county.”
