Legislators reject auditors call to clear Ksh742M bill

Members of Parliament (MPs) have turned down a request by the Auditor General to write off millions owed by government institutions including Parliament in unpaid rent to the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu had proposed that the over Sh742 million be declared as bad debts. The defaulters include the National Assembly which owes KICC Sh112.2 million and the Senate Sh8.4 million and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Sh21.5 million. The Nairobi City County owes Sh16.4 million.

Others include government ministries and agencies, private firms and businesses who have defaulted for a span of time going back 20 years. But yesterday, members of the Public Investment Committee on Commercial affair and Energy vehemently rejected the suggestion to write off the debts.

“How can we write off the debts? An institution like Parliament has the money. Qe as MPs allocate the money for such purposes,” said Eldas MP Adan Keynan who has served as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) for three terms.

Committee chairman David Pkosing said the committee will not rest until after the debts are cleared and all that is owed to the institution including land given back.

“It is unfortunate that the government is leading in the list of shame. How can government institutions, parliament included fail to honour their obligations despite the fact that money has been allocated to them?”wondered Pkosing.