Auditor wants MTRH bosses probed over Covid funds
Auditor General Nancy Gathangu has recommended that the management of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) be investigated for alleged irregular utilisation of Sh115 million meant for Covid-19 intervention measures.
Gathangu’s report says MTRH had failed to account for the funds disbursed by the national government.
The matter was flagged in a special audit on the utilisation of the Covid-19 funds.
The report, which was tabled in the National Assembly last year, says the expenditure was not backed by relevant documentation like payment vouchers. The audit covered the period of March 13, 2020, when the first Covid-19 case was reported in the country to July 31, 2020.
Auditor-General’s findings indicate that during the period under review, MTRH received Sh764.5 million, which was part of the over Sh214.92 billion that the national government procured in form of loans from the development partners to help in the fight against the pandemic.
The funds were received in a special deposit account held at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Wilson Aruasa, who appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly last week, could not explain to the members how the funds were utilised.
Aruasa could also not tell how Sh2.7 million meant for health workers’ allowance was paid to non-eligible staff against the circular of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Another Sh1.1 million was said to have been overpayment to frontline workers allowance, which exceeded the SRC recommendations.
“Under the circumstances, the special audit could not confirm the lawfulness and effectiveness of the amount incurred by MTRH,” reads the audit report.
