MPs Summon State House Comptroller Over Ksh2.7 Billion Expenditure

Members of the National Assembly (MPs) have summoned State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua over Ksh2.7 billion expenditures at the presidency.

Mr Mbugua was summoned to answer audit questions that were raised by the Auditor General over the billions spent at the presidency from 2013 to 2016.

Mbugua, the State House Accounting Officer, was to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday to respond to the queries raised.

However, he sent an apology to the committee, requesting to have the meeting rescheduled claiming he was attending to a pressing matter at State House.

In the apology, Mbugua noted: “Due to my involvement in some State House engagements falling on the same period, I will be constrained in honoring the committee’s sitting today. Reschedule my appearance to a later date.”

His apology did not go well with the members of the committee, with the chairman Opiyo Wandayi asserting that his appearance before the committee superseded everyday engagements of accounting officers.

In his report, the Auditor General noted that despite the Presidency providing required certificates to support the expenditures, there was still much unsatisfactory matter that Mr Mbugua needed to clarify regarding the confidential expenditure.

Read: Kenyan Edward Karuku Charged With Embezzling Sh3.6 Billion From A US Company

Mr Ouko was quick to highlight that there were weaknesses in controls, the payment of motor vehicles, payment for undelivered items and pending bills.

He also revealed that payment vouchers are not supported with necessary documents to allow for a clear audit on the expenditure process.

The millions in question include, Ksh165.6 million paid for the supply of motor services that was yet to be posted in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (Ifmis) as required by the Public Finance Management Act.

He also raised a red flag over an unexplained Ksh105 million that was withdrawn from the suspense account without verifiable source document.

“It was not possible to confirm that the confidential expenditure incurred on motor vehicles and other payments was lawful and that value for money was obtained,” Ouko noted in the report.

There were queries over validity, legality, and accuracy of the procurement of Ksh22.3 million on goods for various State Houses and lodges, which were not supported by invoices, delivery notes, contract documents and Local Purchase Orders (LPOs).

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