By TWV Team
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has raised the alarm over widespread financial mismanagement, stalled development projects, and questionable bursary disbursements in several constituencies under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
In a series of reports covering 20 NG-CDF accounts tabled in Parliament, the Auditor General revealed instances of unsupported expenditure, unpresented cheques, and failure to implement projects worth hundreds of millions of shillings. The most affected constituencies include Bondo, Bureti, Webuye West, Kibwezi East, Nyatike, Jomvu, and Narok East.
In Bondo Constituency, represented by MP Gideon Ochanda, the report cites unsupported expenditure of Sh3.1 million disbursed to schools for environmental projects. The payments were not backed by ledgers, payment vouchers or other necessary documentation, contravening the Public Finance Management Regulations. Additionally, the report highlights the presence of stale cheques worth Sh90,000 that had neither been reversed nor replaced, resulting in understated bank balances.
Even more concerning is the stalling of key educational infrastructure projects in Bondo valued at Sh143.5 million. These include the construction of a dining hall at Jusa Secondary School, a laboratory at Ulowa Girls Secondary, and several administration blocks. The report warns that such delays may deny the public value for money and compromise the intended benefits of the projects.
In Webuye West, MP Dan Wanyama’s constituency, renovation of three classrooms at Bituyu DEB Primary School cost taxpayers Sh1.5 million, yet a physical inspection revealed shoddy workmanship, poorly aligned ceiling boards and peeling paint. Moreover, the project management committee (PMC) account balances totalling Sh73.2 million across 85 project accounts could not be verified.
Kibwezi East, under MP Jessica Mbalu, was flagged for ineffective management of bursaries. As of 30th June 2024, Sh3.7 million in bursary cheques remained unpresented, some dating as far back as February. The Auditor General noted that there was no evidence of follow-up by the Constituency Development Fund Committee to ensure intended beneficiaries received the funds. Furthermore, of the Sh144.3 million allocated for 41 projects, 20 had not been initiated.
In Nyatike, represented by Tom Odege, the report identified project delays amounting to Sh75.5 million. These projects were still at various stages of implementation, casting doubt on the timely delivery of services.
In Jomvu, the Auditor General questioned domestic travel and fuel expenses totalling Sh1.2 million, incurred during a benchmarking exercise in Nakuru. The payments were not supported by any work plan. Additionally, PMC bank balances totalling Sh85.6 million could not be substantiated due to missing documentation, including bank reconciliation statements and certificates of balance.
Narok East, led by MP Aramat Lemanken, was flagged for unsubstantiated fuel, oil, and lubricant expenditure of Sh450,000. The constituency also failed to submit quarterly bursary reports for Sh40.7 million disbursed to secondary schools and Sh23.4 million to tertiary institutions. This contravenes guidelines issued by the NG-CDF Board, which require timely reporting and submission of beneficiary lists.
Bureti Constituency, represented by MP Japheth Mutai, was also found to have unsupported PMC bank balances amounting to Sh1.8 million.
The Auditor General has expressed concern that such lapses undermine transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery. Parliament is expected to debate the findings, which could lead to increased scrutiny and possible sanctions against non-compliant constituencies.
