AUDIT EXPOSES THE ROT AT MAKUENI COUNTY ASSEMBLY
The Makueni County Assembly has been put on the spot by the Auditor-General’s report, which paints a picture of an assembly unable to provide documentary evidence for expenditure and having made irregular payments. The report sheds light on serious corruption that is robbing Makueni residents of quality service delivery.
The report highlighted that the lack of transparency around these payments raised serious concerns about compliance with Kenya’s public finance management laws. It was further discovered that the Assembly frittered away millions in legal payments without proper documentation or adherence to public procurement rules.
Unsupported Legal Expenses
The statement of receipts and payments reflects the use of goods and services expenditure amounting to Kshs. 448,356,798, which includes other operating expenses of Kshs. 137,885,533. Among these expenses is Kshs. 4,375,000 paid to a legal firm without supporting documents to show how the legal fees were determined. The accuracy and propriety of legal expenses could not be confirmed.
Irregular Award of Contracts to Suppliers
The statement of receipts and payments also includes Kshs. 71,730,040 for domestic travel and subsistence. Included in this amount is an expenditure of Kshs. 17,045,975 for hiring conference, retreat, and workshop facilities for Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and staff in Nairobi, Machakos, and Mombasa counties. This is contrary to regulations in the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulations, 2020.
Officers who participated in these activities were paid a total of Kshs. 48,073,200 in domestic travel and subsistence allowances. Management was therefore in breach of the law.
Irregular Procurements in Ward Offices
Ward offices made procurements totaling Kshs. 54,987,616 using the low-value procurement method, contrary to Section 107(a) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015. Additionally, the expenditure was not supported by Electronic Tax Register (ETR) receipts signed by the officer undertaking the cash purchases.
Irregular Payments During Oversight and Public Participation
Expenditure on goods and services included Kshs. 12,782,029 and Kshs. 32,774,350 incurred on oversight and public participation activities, respectively. MCAs were paid Kshs. 50,000 and Kshs. 70,000 each for every facilitation of public participation and oversight activities. These rates were not specified by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Each participating MCA was also paid a transport facilitation allowance regardless of distance traveled.
Delayed Exchequer Receipts and Failure to Observe Cut-off Period
Revenue and expenditure records indicated delayed exchequer receipts and payments, with management failing to provide evidence of measures to observe the cut-off period in the future. This is contrary to the Public Financial Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015.
Use of Manual Payroll
The County Assembly operated two payroll systems: a manual (Excel-based) payroll system and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database (IPPD) system. Out of the total employee compensation of Kshs. 371,730,253, a sum of Kshs. 11,328,263 was paid through the manual payroll system.
Public Reactions:
Xun Xi: I think the Wiper party has produced the worst leaders in Makueni county. Starting from my MP Kibwezi East and the governor. I’m really interested to know which criteria is used in nominating some leaders.
Caroline Mutwiwa: Mbilu na Mutuku wanakuanga wakora. Ile wizi iko county assembly of Makueni ni mingi sana.
Rita Wilson: All Wiper Governments are corrupt, tukianza na iyo na Mutula.
Dorea Yvonne: Na tukiwaambia Douglas Mbilu is corrupt, mnaanza kumtetea.
Jenny Blessed Jeniffer: Nawanakula hivo and there’s nothing done for Makueni people.