Funding limits hamper audit of over 100 constituencies

The Auditor-General Edward Ouko is unable to audit use of funds in 111 constituencies, exposing taxpayers’ money to misuse.

Lack of funding has been blamed for delays in carrying out audits in the constituencies for the 2013/2014 financial year.

Representatives from the Mr Ouko’s office Thursday told Parliament that audits of 179 of the 290 constituencies in the 2013/2014 financial year were complete.

“As at June 2014, the audits of 179 of the 290 constituencies were done, representing 61 per cent,” Agnes Mita, the deputy Auditor-General Thursday told the National Assembly committee on Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

She said lack of funding has posed major challenges in carrying out audits in the constituencies which was the reason why a suggestion to have the exercise funded by CDF money was fronted.

Constituencies were required to allocate an average Sh500,000 each to Mr Ouko’s office to assist in the audit of their accounts.

Ms Mita said auditing is charged on hourly basis, and the amount caters for expenses including staff allowances and vehicles used.

A total of Sh145 million was to be raised from the 290 constituencies for auditing projects.

Last September, the committee resolved that MPs should stop including the allocations in their annual CDF projections, saying the money reserved for the Auditor-General’s office was unnecessary.

Payment of the fee by constituencies has since been halted after the committee led by Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet said it was unfair.

READ: MPs plot to control over Sh300bn CDF cash

“The Auditor-General needs Sh196 million annually to carry out the constituencies’ audits and CDF does not have that kind of money,” he said.

Mr Lessonet said the committee will forward proposals to Parliament in order to push for additional funding to assist Mr Ouko in carrying out his mandate at the constituencies.

“This committee supports the Auditor-General and is committed to consistently help him increase budgetary allocations to his office,” he said.

In the 2015/2016 budget, the Auditor-General’s office got Sh4.1 million, Sh76 million of which is meant for auditing CDFs in the 290 constituencies.

Sh539 million of the Sh4.1 billion is for auditing the 47 county governments while Sh250 million has been set aside to carry special audits on government projects.