Committee calls for thorough public audit to unearth graft, fraud

A House Committee wants Auditor General Nancy Gathungu to conduct a forensic audit on all public expenditure from July to September 2022 to establish whether there were cases of fraud, corruption and other financial improprieties.

In a report to the House, the committee, specifically wants the audit to focus on approval by the Controller of Budget (COB) on the National Treasury’s requisition of Sh6 billion to cater for the Exit of Helios investment in Telcom Kenya LTD and funding done August 5 last year.

Investigation should also focus on State Department for Crop Development and Agricultural Research requisition of Sh4 billion to cater for implementation of the Maize Subsidy Programme and funding done on August 4, 2022.

Decision comes after the House approved all the expenditure under Article 223 of the Constitution with the exception of Sh4.5 billion towards maize flour subsidy programme and the Sh6 billion for the acquisition of Telkom Kenya through Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023.

Article 223 of the Constitution allows the Ministries Departments and Agencies to access additional funding during the budget implementation process if the amount appropriated for any purpose under the Appropriation Act is insufficient or a need has arisen for expenditure.

 “Committee further notes that certain expenditure did not find favour within the provisions of Article 223 of the Constitution,” the report.

Committee on Public Petitions Committee chaired by Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai in its report also directed the Auditor General to audit expenditure and roles of the officers involved in the execution of their duties in relation to the appropriation of the funds and if found culpable, appropriate action be taken against them.

 Other things

Recommendations come after the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) boss Stephen Mutoro petitioned the committee to examine expenditure that were not approved by the National Assembly.

 In his prayers, Mutoro wanted among other things, a commission of inquiry to be set up to investigate former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani, COB, Accounting officers of all beneficiary allottees.

“Therefore, the Committee recommends that the Auditor-General audits the expenditures and the roles of the officers involved in the execution of their duties in relation to the appropriation of the funds and if found culpable, the appropriate action be taken against them,”the report.

 In the report, the committee regretted that there were no safeguards to bar an outgoing administration from incurring expenditure in case of an emergency.