Tuesday, 1 April, 2025
CPISP Committee probes Kisii County FIF over unsupported spending and financial irregularities๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐
The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds held a meeting to examine the Auditor-Generalโs report on Kisii County Health Facilities Improvement Fund for the financial year ending June 30, 2024. Kisii County Governor Simba Arati and his team were questioned about financial discrepancies, including errors in financial statements, unsupported spending on medical supplies, and inaccuracies in cash and cash equivalents.
One of the main concerns was a Kshs. 3,994,383 discrepancy in the countyโs financial statements. Senator George Mbugua asked the governor, "Governor, your team failed to disclose prior adjustments in the financial statements. How can this committee trust that such errors wonโt happen again?" Governor Arati responded, "We recognize the mistake, and I assure you that financial statements will be thoroughly reviewed before submission."
Senator Agnes Kavindu was not satisfied and pressed further. "What measures are you taking to hold responsible officers accountable? These discrepancies must have consequences." Governor Arati reassured the committee, "We are reinforcing internal audits, and officers found negligent will face disciplinary action."
The committee also raised concerns about irregular payments to casual workers totaling Kshs. 24,086,199. Senator Richard Onyonga criticized the county, stating, "Hiring casual workers without authorization and paying them below the legal minimum is unacceptable." Governor Arati explained, "The issue has been handed over to the County Public Service Board for corrective action."
Another critical issue was the unsupported expenditure of Kshs. 1,899,020 on dressings and pharmaceuticals. Senator Hamida Kibwana asked, "Governor, how do we know this money was used appropriately when there were no supporting documents?" Governor Arati admitted the lapse but assured the committee, "The missing payment vouchers have since been provided for verification."
Senator Richard Onyonga was particularly concerned about the inaccuracy of cash and cash equivalents. "Governor, the Auditor-Generalโs report shows a balance of Kshs. 19,323,816, yet unpresented cheques totaling Kshs. 22,763,955 were found, with Kshs. 5,361,281 being stale. Why were these not reversed in time?" Governor Arati responded, "The cheques were verified, but by then, they had become stale. They have since been reversed in the cashbook as of July 2024โ