The government has directed a former Kajiado chief to refund Sh4 million that he was paid in salary and allowances after he resigned to run in the 2017 general elections.
John Lalaito resigned on January 19, 2017, to contest the Kajiado South parliamentary seat but continued to earn salary, house, commuter and field allowances totalling Sh4,423,575.
In a letter addressed to him from the Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration and signed by R. Gakinya, Lalaito has been ordered to pay back the amounts.
He will, however, refund reductions including PAYE (Sh968,575.40), NHIF (Sh74,250) and Widows and Children’s Pension Scheme (Sh60,190).
He is thus required to pay back Sh3,320,301.90 through a banker’s cheque.
The letter referenced number 20037431(59) and dated September 25, 2023, is to inform him to refund the money or face court action.
Gakinya told the former senior chief to take the liability fully and pay the full amount, adding that after he resigned he continued drawing salary and allowances yet he knew that it was a fraudulent act.
Lalaito told the Star he is talking with his former employer and has already paid back some money.
He added that his former employer owed him Sh200,000 which he also intends to surrender to reduce the total amount he is supposed to pay.
“As a businessman, I have several bank accounts and I only noted late that the government had paid me salary even after I had resigned to join politics. The good thing is that we are in talks to clear the entire amount,” Lalaito told the Star.
The letter was copied to the Kajiado county commissioner and the Kajiado South deputy county commissioner.
The former senior chief admitted he received the money and the letter from the PS.
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