Senate orders probe into county govt's expenditure

A Senate committee wants the Director of Public Prosecutions to look into the procurement of irregular flights in Mandera County and prosecute those responsible for the misappropriation of public funds. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The report indicates that the county government has been biased in the awarding of contracts, tenders for projects and other civil works.
  • The petitioners sought a freeze of non-emergency and non-salary funds of the county's administration and further wanted a special audit undertaken for the financial years 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

The Senate has recommended investigations into Mandera County government’s procurement process based on a report alleging that millions of shillings have been lost.

Based on a report presented on the Senate Floor on April 28, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget recommended that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) starts a probe into the procurement process of leasing ambulances from Red Cross, in 2014.

Sh60 million had been set aside for the purchase.

It equally wants the Director of Public Prosecutions to look into the procurement of irregular flights and prosecute those responsible for the misappropriation of public funds.

The committee also recommends that National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) scrutinizes the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compliance of all projects being undertaken in Mandera.

When the petitioners, Abdulsalam Dakane and Abdullahi Hassan, filed the report on June 16, 2015, they claimed there was colossal misappropriation and misapplication of funds by the county government, leading to loss of public funds and denial of services to locals.

The committee, which is mandated to discuss and review the estimates of county governments and make recommendations, established that there were irregular expenditures on security by Mandera administration.

“The Auditor-General noted irregularities in the payment of Sh.1.8 million for security personnel guarding the county offices and residences of Governor Ali Roba and his deputy,” reads the report.

It says that payment vouchers made available were not signed and there was no list of security personnel provided and no master roll was being maintained.

The committee says there was a lack of transparency and adherence to the procurement law.

Some of the tenders listed in the report having flouted the law include purchase and modification of 10 vehicles at a cost of Sh80.1 million and modified at an additional cost of Sh4.1 million, lack of vehicle inspection reports and payment of Sh 5.5 million CCTV installation through single-sourcing.

UNEXPLAINED ALLOCATIONS

Other single-sourced tenders are the lease of six ambulances from Kenya Red Cross at a cost of Sh64 million, use of Sh3 million for flights without competitive bidding, purchase of five generators worth Sh7.5 million, computer accessories worth Sh8.3 million, assorted goods worth Sh49.1 million and award of a Sh2.4 billion tender for tarmacking of 24 kilometre road.

The report also points out irregularities in obtaining office and residential space, singling out two incidents whereby Mandera Deputy Governor Omar Maalim drew out a house allowance when his residential rent was being paid and the county government renting five rooms at the National Drought Management Authority without a lease agreement.

Other lost funds in the 2014/2015 financial year included Sh117 million on animal census that was never carried out, Sh116 million on purchase of land for a stadium that was not purchased - instead an existing stadium was upgraded and is yet to be finalised.

Another Sh117 million set for bursaries was lost and Sh47 million for six school buses cannot be accounted for.

Sh33 million for public toilets in the 30 wards cannot be accounted and Sh50 million meant for purchase of airstrip land has not been utilised.

The report indicates that the county government has been biased in the awarding of contracts, tenders for projects and other civil works.

“Mandera County government and the county public service board have shown partiality, nepotism, favouritism corrupt practices in its recruitment of employees,” reads the 27 paged report.

It recommended that only competent and qualified staff to hold office and that any unqualified person appointed should have their terms of service revoked and all salaries and allowances recovered.

The county government of Mandera is accused of locking out the residents in development projects leading to the loss of Sh116 million, during a feasibility study of an airport to be located at Libihya Ward.

Later the public rejected the airport project forcing the county government to move the project to Wargadud ward.

“Another feasibility study that was a waste of resources was on tarmacking the Mandera town road which cost Sh.35 million,” states the report.

OVERSIGHT

The petitioners sought a freeze of non-emergency and non-salary funds of the county's administration and further wanted a special audit undertaken for the financial years 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, with a specific focus on illegal transfers of funds to private accounts through manipulation of the Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (Ifmis).

They also asked for audit into delayed payment of suppliers and contractors and for projects not implemented yet funds have been expended.

Mandera County Government is accused of expenditure on National Government functions using county funds including construction of Rhamu-Wargadudi road - a national trunk road (class B9).

The committee further wants the Senate to fast track the enactment of the Petition to County Assemblies Bill that will enable residents to engage their county assemblies proactively in executing their oversight mandate effectively.

“Mandera Members of County Assembly have been unable to undertake their oversight role due to the fact that they have been engaging in business with County Government, which has denied the public their right to quality services and equitable development,” reads the report.