This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
On July 28, 2019, the Auditor General Edward Ouko tabled a report in the National Assembly, highlighting the misuse of Sh3.4 billion in relief food distribution.
The State Department of Special Programmes under the Ministry of Devolution failed to account for the funds, which were meant to support vulnerable persons.
According to the report, the department did not follow up to ensure that relief foodstuff sent to counties was received by the intended beneficiaries.
Discrepancies in dispatch records and receiving records maintained by sub-counties were also noted, raising concerns about the distribution of relief food.
Mr. Ouko further noted that documentation involved in the procurement of relief commodities was available, but those for distribution to beneficiaries and the basis of their selection were not provided for audit scrutiny.
As a result, there was no evidence to show that the foodstuff was received by the beneficiaries, and no documentation on how needy persons were identified and how quantities of various destinations were determined.
Various anomalies in relief receipts and distribution were cited in sub-counties of Mwatate, Kilifi North, Baringo Central, Kitui Central, and Makueni, indicating that the food may have been diverted.
The report also revealed that the distribution of relief food was undertaken by the State Department of Interior, which made no report of the quantities received and those distributed to the State Department of Special Programmes.
Mr. Ouko blamed the State Department of Special Programmes for not ensuring smooth logistics for the transportation and delivery of relief foodstuff.
The report further noted that there was no accountability for Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE)s sent to County Commissioners for transport, and that AIEs disbursed to sub-counties were being used for motor vehicle repairs.
The accumulation of Sh112 million in pending bills, despite President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive to clear pending bills with no audit queries, was also faulted.
The status of the completion of the Wajir sewerage project was another area of concern, with the report noting that completion of the project remains in doubt as it had been abandoned in 2013 despite the contractor having already been paid Sh32.18 million.
