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Senators urged to submit names of counties notorious for mismanaging public funds

Senators urged to submit names of counties notorious for mismanaging public funds
Deputy Speaker and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/ParliamentKE

Senators have been urged to submit the names of county governments that are notorious for mismanaging public funds.

Speaking during the ongoing Senate Retreat in Naivasha, Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi who is the Meru county senator told the Senate Committees expedite the process.

Murungi emphasized the need for Committees handling audited reports to identify and present to the House the counties with rampant financial mismanagement, noting that such disclosures would empower Kenyans to demand accountability and safeguard their rights.

“Kenyans have been seeking information on counties where funds are being blatantly mismanaged. The Senate through its committees, should be able to provide this,” Murungi was quoted in a statement shared via the Parliament of Kenya official Facebook account.

He went ahead to emphasize the Senate’s oversight role and stressed the importance of transparency in the use of public resources.

“One of our mandates as the Senate is oversight. We should have the lists of Counties where money is being embezzled so that we ask hard questions and ensure resources are applied prudently,” Murungi stated.

Murungi on strengthening devolution

Moreover, Murungi called on the lawmakers to work collaboratively in strengthening devolution, emphasizing that effective oversight and teamwork among lawmakers are crucial in ensuring that devolved resources are utilized for the intended benefit of Kenyans.

Senator Murungi’s remarks come amid growing concerns over financial mismanagement in several Counties, with reports indicating cases of misuse and embezzlement of public funds.

Counties flagged

In 2024, the office of the Auditor General exposed widespread financial mismanagement within county governments, with irregular and unsupported payments.

Deputy Auditor General Isaac Kamau highlighted the persistent problems across devolved units, with some counties employing unqualified personnel in accounting departments.

“We have observed some very systemic weaknesses within the financial management and staff of county assembly and county executives,” he said.

These shortcomings have led to widespread financial mismanagement, with many counties failing to maintain adequate internal controls, resulting in unsupported transactions.

One of the most troubling issues is the continued occurrence of unsupported payments, which have been noted in various county audits.

These payments, often without the necessary documentation, are a recurring problem from one audit to the next.

“The Auditor General has always asked herself, loudly, how we have unsupported transactions, yet from planning, we knew a transaction was going to happen,” Kamau added.

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