Refund illegal perks, ward reps ordered
What you need to know:
- The letter from the Auditor-General questioned how the 64 members had never missed a single sitting yet some of them travelled outside the country on official duties.
- At the end of the Devolution Conference in Kisumu last week, it is said assembly officials met with the salaries team over the matter.
- In an earlier interview, Mr Makali, said the assembly cut its budget in order to survive till the end of the financial year.
Members of the county assembly have been told to repay allowances received illegally.
Recent letters from the Auditor-General and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission indicated that the leaders were getting sitting allowances known as “automatic allowances” even though they did not attend the sittings.
The letter from the Auditor-General questioned how the 64 members had never missed a single sitting yet some of them travelled outside the country on official duties.
Speaker John Makali yesterday refused to reveal how much the ward representatives were supposed to refund.
Mr Makali said he would give a comprehensive answer after meeting the members.
At the end of the Devolution Conference in Kisumu last week, it is said assembly officials met with the salaries team over the matter.
A report on the meeting is being prepared and will be presented to the assembly before a resolution is reached.
Bungoma assembly members receive Sh3,900 as sitting allowance per session.
Many activities at the assembly have been scaled down because of a serious financial crisis.
In an earlier interview, Mr Makali, said the assembly cut its budget in order to survive till the end of the financial year.
He said the placement of ceilings by the Controller of Budget had affected work.
The Speaker said the assembly’s budget estimate was Sh800 million but it was informed by the Controller of Budget that the ceiling was about Sh450 million.
