Mutua put on the spot over Sh13.5m advance to FKF
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua was yesterday at pains to explain the irregular payment of Sh13.5 million advanced to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) during CECAFA Games.
The tournament was held in the county between December 3 and 17, 2017.
Former auditor general Edward Ouko had in his report for the year ending June 30, 2018 noted the county’s Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture for the advancement, didn’t have a budget for such an activity and the payment was not approved by the county executive committee members’ cabinet.
“Further, there was no memorandum on how the funds were to be used and the payment was done after the games had ended,” Ouko said in the county’s audited accounts.
“There was also no acknowledgement from FKF on receipt of the money. The regularity of the payment could therefore not be confirmed,” the auditor added.
The Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC) chaired by Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri took the county chief to task, to explain why he spent money outside the IFMIS system.
“This money was spent without authorization, because authorization is in the budget.
Where is the authorization to spend this money,” Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko posed to the governor.
“Promotion of sports is good, where is the Memorandum of Understanding with the county and FKF. There is also no receipts at all,” he added.
In his response, Mutua said his administration has embraced promotion of sports and youth which is a devolved function as per schedule four of the constitution of Kenya 2010.
In this regard, he said, the county government through the department of Tourism, Sports and Culture facilitated the payment of Shs13.5 Million.
“These funds were paid to support FKF in hosting the CECAFA championship in Machakos county and promoting Sports and Tourism in the County,” he said.
Senators Ledama ole Kina and Godana Hargura claimed the governor spent the money irregularly and he should be surcharged for violating the Public Finance Management (PFM) act 2015.
“You are spending money that you have not budgeted for. The fact are very clear that the money was not budgeted for,” said Kina.
“This is an offence. There was no acknowledgement. This money was not budgeted for and there was no supplementary budget to correct it. Let us invoke the PFM Act.”
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei termed the governor’s action as impunity of the highest order.
“The governor of Machakos should own this impunity. It looks like you draw a budget and then throw it away.
You start spending the money the way you like. Let us not waste time. We should invoke the PFM Act and let the necessary consequences be carried out,” said Cherargei.
