Chairman of Council of Governors Isaac Ruto and other county chiefs address the Press at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) in Loresho, Nairobi, after a meeting with agricultural heads on Tuesday. Ruto’s county administration has been accused of not following the law in its expenditures.  [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE /STANDARD]

By KARANJA NJOROGE

A report by the Auditor General on Bomet County reveals that millions of shillings were spent without adherence to the Public Finance Management Transition Act.

The damning report states that bank accounts for defunct local authorities in the county remained in operation long after the February 28, 2013, deadline provided by the Transition Authority for their closure.

It further states that Sh23 million was spent from the defunct County Council of Bomet without approval from the Transition Authority.

“At the time of the closure of the accounts on 27 June 2013, the balance was Sh1,020,986.80, which was transferred to the county government bank account.  Therefore the difference of Sh23,046,608.15 represents the amount spent without approval from the Transition Authority,” the report adds.

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One cashbook

The accounts continued being operational without change of bank signatories, which was contrary to the County Government Public Finance Management Transition Act 2013, according to the report.

The Auditor General says the accounts should be closed and balances transferred to the County Revenue Account and the expenditure incurred during the period investigated.

The audit also revealed that the County Government maintained one cashbook to record transactions for both the executive and the county assembly although they run separate accounts.

The Auditor General noted a huge decline   in revenue collection during the transition, which raised suspicion of irregularities in collection and surrender.

The report indicates that the County Council of Bomet collected Sh78,328,408 between January and June 2012, while only Sh20,973,783 was collected for the same period in 2013.

It says there was no proper explanation for the net decline of Sh57,354,625.

The Auditor General has recommended that a detailed analysis of revenue collected during the transition period at each of the defunct local authorities should be undertaken and variations explained.