Submit reports now, counties told

County and national government departments have been told to submit their financial reports in five days or be denied funds by the Treasury.
Accountant-General Bernard Ndung’u, said the Treasury Cabinet Secretary had powers to stop the release of funds even of State agencies.
“We expect everyone, including counties to observe the deadline and submit the reports. What we should worry about is the quality of the statement,” Mr Ndung’u said.
Speaking in Mombasa Wednesday during the official opening of the public financial management conference at Sarova Whitesands Hotel, Mr Ndung’u said state agencies including ministries and other departments must comply.

The reports to be submitted to the Auditor-General would be used to gauge how government agencies and counties spent their money in the last financial year.

BUILD CAPACITY

At the same time, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya chairman, Mr Benson Okundi called for professionalism in government finances. Mr Okundi said the number of fake accountants was on the increase.

He said county and national governments should build capacity over public finance management.

“We are still far in our public finance management reforms. There are notable challenges in adherence and conforming to the public procurement rules by both governments,” he said. He added that state organs must be fair and cost-effective when procuring anything.

“These regulations aim at strengthening financial reporting at national and county government levels while at the same time introducing internal control mechanisms in public financial management,” he said.

He said the country was grappling with a huge public sector wage bill and measures needed to be taken to ensure finances were managed well.