This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
On July 3, 2019, Nairobi City County's financial controversy took a dramatic turn as MCAs protested over unaccounted bursary funds, with the county government and Controller of Budget at odds over responsibility.
Appearing before the budget committee, Stephen Okello from the office of the Controller of Budget revealed that the county government of Nairobi could not account for a staggering Ksh. 90 million out of Ksh. 357 million released in the 2017/2018 financial year.
Okello stated, 'We issued a circular to all CECs finance in every county directing them to file a quarterly return, and up-to-date, they have not done this for the bursary money. According to bank statements, only Ksh. 249 million is accounted for.'
Finance CEC Charles Kerich, however, blamed the Controller of Budget for the delay, claiming that the office had overstepped its mandate by auditing the money.
Kerich argued, 'From where I sit, the bursary funds should be disbursed, and any other issue should be solved by the auditors. We have provided all the necessary documents required to the office of the Controller of Budget.'
The controversy led to a chaotic scene in the Nairobi City County Assembly, with MCAs attempting to grab the mace, forcing the speaker to adjourn the sitting until the next day.
