Makueni freezes accounts over assembly expenditure

Makueni County Assembly is facing a cash crunch after the executive froze all accounts over audit queries.

In a press statement dated November 13, Executive for Finance and Planning Alidan Mbinda, said, “The County Assembly’s failure to adhere to procedures and requirements of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 leaves the head of treasury with no option but to invoke section 105(b) and consequently order with immediate effect the stoppage of funds to the County Assembly.”

Mr Mbinda explained that the county treasury took the radical measure after the assembly failed to surrender their books of accounts for inspection, and explain source of funds for foreign travel, which had no budgetary provisions.

“Upon inquiry on the expenditure on foreign travel, and inspection of financial records, the County Assembly’s response was that they are not a County Government entity and that the assembly is an independent entity that cannot subject its expenditure to executive’s audit,” Mbinda said.

He revealed that the County Government is currently operating on a vote on account with funds only available for essential services subject to approval by the Controller of Budget. 

In the past two weeks, a section of MCAs and staff flew to the US and UK. A planned trip to India was cancelled after the accounts were frozen.

Financial records from the county treasury indicate the assembly had withdrawn Sh74 million for the month of September and October and was requesting for a further Sh89.7 million for November-December. But in a swift rejoinder, Assembly clerk Edward Libendi scoffed at the move, terming it unlawful and unconstitutional.