Police block protesters from reaching Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok’s office, while residents demonstrate along the Kericho-Bomet Highway on February 7, 2024.IMAGE|COURTESY
In Summary:
1) Bomet residents rally against Governor Barchok, citing financial mismanagement.
2) Police intervene as tensions escalate during the demonstration.
Feb 7 (TopNews) – Bomet Town was engulfed in protests as local residents expressed their discontent with Governor Hillary Barchok’s administration, accusing it of financial mismanagement. The demonstrations, fueled by frustration over alleged misuse of county funds, disrupted services and blocked the vital Bomet Highway connecting to Kericho and Nakuru Counties.
Residents lit bonfires along the highway to symbolize their demand for accountability from the governor. Police were called to intervene as tensions rose, and tear gas was used to disperse the crowds.
Amid the commotion, one protester was apprehended for his involvement in organizing the demonstration.
The residents’ grievances stem from concerns about stalled projects and inflated pending bills, which they believe reflect poorly on Governor Barchok’s leadership.
The governor faced scrutiny before the Senate Public Accounts Committee over the discrepancies in financial records and stalled projects.
Although Governor Barchok attributed the discrepancies to false claims pending verification, the Auditor General’s report revealed significant variances in pending bills, amounting to Ksh842.39 million as stated by the County, yet the figures showed Ksh637.43 million, creating a variance of Ksh204 million.
As tensions continue to simmer, the demand for answers regarding the management of county funds remains a pressing issue for the local community.