Where is the commitment to fight corruption?

By Billow Kerrow

I am conscious of the ongoing investigation into the Free Primary Education scam by KACC, and the plan by Parliamentary Accounts Committee to begin an audit through the Auditor-General. Nonetheless, the evolving scandal at the Ministry of Education needs urgent political action, aside from the legal pursuit that may take much longer.

At stake is the reputation of the FPE programme and its sustainability, with donors expressing lack of confidence and withholding their funds. Equally vexing is the genuine concern by parents that the quality of the FPE programmes may be adversely affected by the impact of financial crunch occasioned by the donor freeze.

It is an open secret that the Government does not have adequate internal resources to solely finance it, notwithstanding the survivalist rhetoric by Education PS Karega Mutahi to the contrary. The much-publicised disbursement of money to the ministry by Treasury last month was at best a naÔve attempt to save face for the Government, and a feeble effort to deflect attention from the Accounting Officer.

The PS’s oft-repeated arguments that he cannot step aside because he has not stolen a penny, or that he has not failed to perform his duties, is engaging in deceptive innocence ad nausea. As the accounting officer charged with stewardship of the ministry’s resources, it is a basic management principle that he takes responsibility for the mismanagement of funds under his direction and control. His belated attempt to apportion blame is hogwash. He cannot fire his juniors, and feign ignorance and denial of the losses reported by internal auditors and donors.

The buck stops here

His penchant for arrogant self-defence and deflective wisdom blinds his comprehension of the reality and gravity of the matter. I am aggrieved to learn that the professor is ‘penny wise and pound foolish’ over his obsession on the quantum of the losses rather than its implication on the FPE programme.

Worse still, he unwittingly opines that the programme can do without the donors, and in so doing justifying theft of taxpayers’ bit. So what if the money is not from donors – does it mean we should be less worried?

What irks many Kenyans is the dismissive arrogance of the PS, and his sordid disdain for the views and concern of the Government and public over the scam. Perhaps he believes the President will not sack him despite the scam’s effect on his legacy. Though our short history may vindicate him, he may do so at his peril. Many have been shamelessly forced out, without face, after defying public opinion and relying on the ‘good nature’ of their boss.

A strict interpretation of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act will find him in breach – his constant denial that money has been lost is tantamount to blocking investigations into the matter, and even a possible abuse of office. He may also be in breach of fiduciary trust as the accounting officer. As the CEO of the institution, his potential co-operation in voluntarily offering evidence to the investigators is besmirched by his negation of the preliminary findings of auditors and investigators.

As the accounting officer, he authorises all financial transactions whether directly or indirectly, and approves all expenditure authorisations and accounts of the ministry. Reports of irregularities such as unaccounted for imprest will not pass his attention if he exercised due diligence as required of him. He is also charged with the responsibility of institutionalising appropriate accounting procedures and internal controls that would have prevented blatant theft.

Empty words

A control over FPE funds at districts or school level too is very weak as revealed by the Transparency International report.

Apart from irregular transfers to shadowy schools, some head teachers and DEOs also collude to empty the school accounts with the connivance of school committees.

The admission by the PS that many have been disciplined for keeping their fingers in the till is a potent indicator of massive corruption.

It is equally astounding that the appointing authority is unmoved by the PS’s unsavoury remarks, and impunity displayed by this officer. Where is the commitment to the fight against corruption embodied in the ‘zero tolerance’ motto so often repeated?

How about the statement that there shall be no ‘sacred cows’? Old habits die-hard!

—The writer is a political economist and former Mandera Central MP