MPs asked to refund Sh2.5 million World Cup trip cash

The Auditor-General is seeking the recovery of money sent to two MPs who were attending a sporting event last year.

Auditor-General Edward Ouko wants the Sports ministry to recover Sh2.5 million it paid for the lawmakers to watch the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Mr Ouko has said the money was irregularly wired to the MPs because their expenses were supposed to be catered for by the Parliamentary Service Commission.

The Sh2.5 million was used to cater for the MPs’ expenses during the last two weeks of the matches.

The report for the year ended June 30 last year further states that the payment was based on a requests from National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai.

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“Members of the National Assembly serve under the PSC and their expenses should be paid from there. In the circumstances, the State Department should pursue a refund of Sh2,461,872 irregularly requested and paid to the two MPs from the Clerk of the National Assembly,” the audit report directs.

The trip by a 20-member delegation was greeted by a public uproar, with Kenyans protesting that there was no value for money in flying the MPs to watch the games in Russia.

At least eight MPs representing the Sports committee took the trip. They included chairperson Victor Munyaka, Chris Omulele, Jones Mlolwa, Ben Shinali, Dan Wanyama, Sylvanus Maritim, George Sunkuiy, Charles Nguna and one staffer, Fred Otieno.

There was another delegation from Bunge Sports Club comprising nine MPs, including senators, and two parliamentary staff.

Senators Cleophas Malala, James Orengo and Millicent Omanga were also spotted in Russia.

The Sports department is also on the spot over the theft of Sh3.6 million parking lights that were installed at Kasarani Stadium during the IAAF World Under-18 Championship held in Nairobi in 2017.

Ouko said that a security company at the facility had agreed to buy new lights but was yet to honour the promise.

“Although the security firm at the stadium acknowledged the theft and requested to replace the security lights, no replacement had been done as at the time of audit in November 2018,” the report said.

Ouko also accused the Sports department of failing to recover Sh2.4 million from athletes who participated in the World Under-18 Championship.