Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee questions eligibility of NG-CDF, NGAAF Accounts Managers; recommends audit

Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee questions eligibility of NG-CDF, NGAAF Accounts Managers; recommends audit

𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲,
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee, chaired by Mwingi Central MP Hon. (Dr.) Gideon Mulyungi, in its report-writing workshop today, has raised concerns with the recurrent nature of audit queries raised by the office of the Auditor General on the management of Decentralized funds.

According to the Committee, the continuous citation of audit queries in the management and use of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) could be attributed to observed incompetence among some Funds Accounts Managers.

In their deliberations, the MPs have indicated that the continuous reports on misappropriation of funds, projects incompletion and stalling, unprocedural re-allocation of funds and failure to submit relevant documents during the audit processes are an implication of incompetence of those mandated to undertake these duties.

“There should be no audit queries on some of these issues if indeed we are dealing with professionals who understand their mandates and are qualified for their jobs.” Stated Vice Chairperson Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu (Kilifi County).

The Committee members argue that the audit issues raised over the years indicate a lack of understanding of the mandates of the Funds Accounts Managers and the Project Management Committees (PMCs).

“It is clear that most of these account managers are not conversant with audit processes, records keeping, and even project managements.” Stated Hon. Dorothy Muthoni (Meru County).

Questioning the use of funds allocated for capacity building and training of Account Managers, PMCs and other staff in the NG-CDF Board’s budgets annually, the MPs emphasized the need for an audit of the content of their training manuals, as well as the qualifications of personnel holding these positions.

“Are we getting value for money, and what are these officers trained on annually, if the same audit issues keep recurring in each reporting cycle?” Posed Hon. Joyce Osogo Bensouda (Homabay County). She suggested that an effective method of training should be adopted.

Adding that there is need to ensure that the holders of these critical offices mandated with managing the Funds and overseeing their implementation are fit to serve, the MPs have called for an audit of their academic and professional qualifications.

“As a committee, we have a duty to protect these funds. We need an assessment of the capacity of the Fund Accounts Managers, since these continuous reports indicate a gap that needs to be filled.” Said Hon. Stephen Mogaka (West Mugirango).

“You cannot hold an unqualified person accountable for any mess created in undertaking a job they’re mandated to carry out with disregard of their qualification.” Underscored Hon. Mogaka.

The Committee chairperson Hon. Mulyungi questioned the Auditors from the Office of the Auditor General on the depth of their auditing processes, highlighting the fact that some issues reported had been contested by the Fund Accounts Managers when they appeared before the Legislators.