Ex-NCIC bosses summoned over Sh132m audit queries

Former National Cohesion and Integration Commission CEO Skitter Wangeci.[Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

A parliamentary committee has summoned former National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) commissioners and a former chief executive officer to respond to audit queries touching on alleged abuse of office, financial mismanagement and breaches of procurement and human resource laws.

The summons were issued by the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Education and Governance, which is probing issues raised by the Auditor-General in reports covering the financial years 2021/2022 to 2024/2025.

Among those required to appear are former chairperson Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, Vice Chairperson Wambui Nyutu, her successor Dorcas Kedogo, and commissioners Phillip Okundi, Danvas Makori and Abdulaziz Ali Farah.

Also expected is former CEO Dr Skitter Wangeci Mbugua, whose tenure was marked by controversy, including her suspension over allegations of altering her appointment letter to extend her term.

The committee is investigating financial and administrative concerns, including a disputed Sh2.7 million taskforce allowance, over-expenditure of Sh132 million, unauthorised bank overdrafts and irregular staff recruitment.

“We have directed that all former commissioners and the former CEO appear before this committee to shed light on the audit queries. We must establish responsibility. Public officers must be held accountable for how they manage public resources,” said Igembe Central MP Daniel Karitho. The probe includes Sh2.16 million in taskforce allowances for 2021/2022, flagged as irregular due to the absence of a clear assignment period and unclear purpose.

Domestic and foreign travel

NCIC Chief Executive Officer Dr Daniel Mutegi Giti told the committee that the issues had since been addressed.

“That was in the 2021/2022 financial year and we have taken corrective action, aligning our operations with Salaries and Remuneration Commission guidelines. Such arrangements are no longer in place,” he said.

However, MPs rejected the explanation, insisting the former accounting officers must appear.

“In such circumstances, we require the former accounting officer to appear before us. You cannot say you were not there; then who do we ask?” Karitho posed.

The committee is also probing an over-expenditure of Sh132.08 million in 2024/2025, where NCIC spent Sh161.3 million against an approved budget of Sh29.3 million. Most of the excess spending went to domestic and foreign travel, which exceeded allocation by over Sh112 million. Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu noted there was no documentary evidence to justify the reallocation of funds, contrary to public finance regulations.

Kilome MP Thaddeus Nzambia said the matter reflected deeper accountability gaps, stressing the need for former commissioners to testify.