The Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee (DFAC) on Wednesday took fund managers from Kesses and Saku constituencies to task over serious audit queries covering a ten-year period from 2013 to 2023.
Chaired by Mwingi Central MP Dr. Gideon Mulyungi, the committee questioned the managers on multiple irregularities flagged by the Auditor General, including unexplained financial variances, missing documents, stalled projects, and uninspected assets.
Appearing before the committee from Kesses Constituency were Joseph Rotich, Gloria Mwasi, Wilson Okumu, Gloria Ketany, and Winnie Kaptuiya.
The Auditor General’s report had highlighted discrepancies in the transfer of funds to other government units. While the managers claimed the variances were corrected in subsequent years, the committee demanded supporting documentation.
One troubling issue involved a government vehicle that was involved in an accident without a corresponding inspection certificate. Although the managers said the inspection took place, they admitted to lacking the report during the session. They were given one week to produce the necessary document.
The committee also raised concerns over the construction of a health centre on untitled land. Former fund manager Mr. Rotich revealed the land was under succession when he took office. Dr. Mulyungi pushed for accountability:
“Who started the project, and was the land bought by NGCDF?”
Mr. Rotich requested time to investigate, prompting the chair to direct him to submit a full status report on the land, including a copy of the mother title deed and any updated documents, within seven days.
Further scrutiny was placed on unutilized funds and an abandoned vehicle allegedly without a logbook. Fund manager Gloria explained that misreported figures had been corrected in the following year, and confirmed the logbook was later presented for audit verification.
In a separate appearance, Saku Constituency Fund Manager Japhet Ngui was reprimanded for failing to submit critical documents regarding an incomplete land purchase project. While he claimed the matter had been handed to the county government, he failed to produce a handover report.
“There is no handing over report—where is it?” Dr. Mulyungi pressed. Mr. Ngui blamed a mix-up in his files.
The committee, unimpressed, directed him to table all missing documents, including the handover report, by July 17. Other flagged issues included unreconciled bank balances, missing vouchers, and a lack of photographic evidence for school projects.
An exasperated Hon. Boni remarked:
“Chair, I think the fund manager is joking with the work of this committee.”
