MPs demand for accurate, timely audit reports

The National Assembly Public Investments Committee (PIC) has demanded for accurate and timely audit reports from government agencies to facilitate effective scrutiny of their spending.

PIC Chair Adan Keynan says this will enhance a span of autonomy that would improve the public watchdog committees’ ability to thoroughly scrutinize financial matters touching on public institutions.

According to Keynan, at the moment there are serious inconsistencies in reporting unresolved audit issues in the current audit reports, adding that this has serious implications on the integrity of the Auditor General’s office.

Speaking during a round table discussion in Parliament on the challenges experienced by parliamentary committees during audit examination, Keynan warned that unless the challenges are addressed urgently, public funds in state corporations will remain at great risk of misuse without detection.

Keynan’s statement comes just a day after fresh details emerged on how the youth fund could have lost an additional 192 million shillings in suspect bank transfers and payments for fictitious services.

The fresh information painted the picture of public officials keen on manipulating documents and authorising huge transfers of public funds for fictitious services.

Documents handed to PIC showed that the fund paid 42 million shillings for its 8^th Anniversary celebrations that never took place.

MPs are also probing the transfer of 152 million shillings to a company against the board’s instructions.

Documents show that on February 11^th, 2015 the fund’s suspended CEO Catherine Namuye instructed the then Chase Bank Director of Business Development Ken Ouko to pay 115 million shillings to Quorandum Company Limited for consultancy services.

PIC questioned why Ouko bypassed the bank’s Relationship Manager Jedida Kabiru to personally handle the Youth Fund account.

Two days ago, the Chairman and Board of Directors of the Youth Enterprise Fund were suspended.

The team led by  Bruce Odhiambo is implicated in loss of 400 million shillings from the fund through dubious payments.