Auditor General Edward Ouko wants Meru CEC to return Sh3.6 million

Auditor General Edward Ouko, has recommended that Meru County Government should recover Sh360,000 from each of the ten County Executive Committee (CEC) members in office between August 2013 and January 2014.

Mr Ouko, (pictured) in his latest audit, reported that the CEC members met on August 20, 2013 and resolved to increase their monthly salaries by Sh60,000 up from Sh225,000 with effect from August 1, 2013.

The payments were made for six months up to January 31, 2014 but discontinued from February 1, 2014 according to Ouko. “The increment was found irregular as it contravened Legal Notice No. 2888 of February 28 2013, in which the monthly minimum salary entry point for all CEC members was set at Sh225,000,” said Ouko.

Consequently, the overall effect of this was irregular and over payments totaling Sh3.6 million for the six months.

A Kenya National Audit official said the payments were irregular because the CEC members were only eligible for an increment after serving at least a year in office, but in this case they were still on the first year.“The management of County Executive should always adhere to circulars and regulations and recover the Sh3.6 million,” recommended Ouko (pictured).

Council of Governors Meru Governor Peter Munya, has however, criticised the report saying, they were not involved in the audit.

Ouko also criticises the county for paying Sh2 million to a law firm to assist miraa farmers file a case against the ban of export by the United Kingdom Government.

The auditor reported that a meeting was held on September 13, 2013 between a law firm and Munya, who pledged a contribution of Sh2 million on behalf of the county to assist in defraying the resultant legal costs.

He noted that there were no records to show that the local law firm had any instructions to act and negotiate for funds on behalf of miraa farmers and no details of case reference including sworn affidavits for audit verification.