MCAs invite Ouko for special audit on projects

Auditor General Edward Ouko addressing the press in his Anniverssary Towers office FILE 16/03/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

The County Assembly has asked Auditor General Edward Ouko to conduct a special scrutiny of the transactions between the county government and the Siaya County Medium and Small Enterprises (SME) Umbrella Association.

The Public Accounts and Investment Committee asked Mr Ouko to probe the loss of Sh104 million between 2015 and 2018 and the use of direct procurement to award the tender to the umbrella association.

According to the committee’s report, the association was awarded Sh2.8 million for construction of car park shades at the county headquarters in 2016/17.

It was awarded another Sh42 million and Sh65 million for the supply of ECD furniture for in 2016/17 and 2017/18 respectively.

“The committee therefore recommended that the executive should provide the registration documents of the said Siaya County SME umbrella association detailing but not limited to; list of names of the members, the registration certificates, the affirmative action certificates and the list of officials of the associations,” said committee chairman William Kinyanyi.

The committee also wants Ouko to conduct a special audit on the status of automation of revenue, including the processes, procedures and plans so far undertaken.

“The matter has remained unresolved and the committee therefore asked the Finance executive to report on the initiation of the special audit as recommended herein within 90 days of the adoption of this report,” read the report.

The committee said the county has been allocating finances annually for revenue enhancement and automation. They cited an expenditure of Sh95.7 million on the medical equipment leasing without a proper intergovernmental agreement.