Maara Shines, Tharaka and CI Struggle to Justify Millions in Audit Queries

Maara Constituency’s Fund Accounts Manager has earned accolades for maintaining clean financial records and promptly addressing audit queries.

Mr. Anthony Muchangi Kariuki, who has served Maara for the past ten financial years, appeared before the Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee chaired by Mwingi Central MP Hon. (Dr.) Gideon Mulyungi. Committee members praised his diligence and consistency.

“This is a standard other Fund Managers should aspire to. Mr. Kariuki deserves to be a keynote speaker at the upcoming forum for Managers, the Board, and MPs,” said Hon. Hussein Abdi Barre, MP for Tarbaj.

Hon. Richard Kilel, MP for Bomet Central, echoed the praise, attributing Kariuki’s success to his long tenure. He advocated for longer service terms for Fund Managers to foster institutional memory and improve audit outcomes.

“Perhaps extended tenure allows managers to better understand audit concerns and maintain orderly records,” Hon. Kilel noted.

Chairperson Hon. Mulyungi confirmed that Maara is the third Constituency to present clean records among those audited so far. The Committee commended Mr. Kariuki’s swift resolution of audit issues.

In contrast, Tharaka and Chuka-Igambang’ombe Constituencies faced scrutiny over audit queries raised by the Auditor General’s office for FY 2013/2014 to 2022/2023.

Tharaka Constituency was questioned over:

- Unprocedural procurement processes

- Unverified asset valuations

- Missing ownership documents for NG-CDF office land

Chuka-Igambang’ombe Constituency faced concerns regarding:

- Irregular procurement decisions

- Delays in project implementation during FY 2022/2023, which the former manager attributed to election-related disruptions

“How does an election hinder project implementation? Managers are not part of the electoral process,” challenged Hon. Martin Pepela Wanyonyi, MP for Webuye East.

Hon. Dorothy Muthoni, MP for Meru, supported the critique, stating:

“Elections do not halt fund disbursement. Projects should proceed regardless.”

The Committee has scheduled follow-up sessions with both Constituencies next week. Managers are expected to present:

- Bills of Quantities (BQs)

- Procurement documents

- Completion certificates

- Photographic evidence of the projects in question