Auditor-General Edward Ouko questions Treasury CS Henry Rotich over use of Sh1 billion from government emergency fund

Rotich troubles deepen over use of Sh1 billion emergency fund

Mark Mwithaga

March 12, 2019 12:28 PM

More woes piled on Rotich

CS Henry Rotich

Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich was put on the spot by Auditor General Edward Ouko over use of Sh1 billion acquired from the government emergency fund without the go ahead of Parliament.

Rotich, stated that he had withdrawn the finances to help out flood victims in 2018.

Auditor General Edward Ouko ece-auto-gen

Ouko however stated that the Treasury CS failed to provide evidence over the transaction carried out as required by the law.

He affirmed that the embattled Rotich did not avail financial statements or information in regards to how the funds were used or whether it was paid to the right people.

“The lack of parliamentary approval for such payments is contrary to section 21(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012.

“If Parliament does not sit during the period referred to in subsection (1), or is not sitting at the end of that period and the Cabinet Secretary has not sought the approval of Parliament before the end of that period, the Cabinet Secretary shall seek the approval for the payment not later than fourteen days after Parliament next sits,” stated Ouko.

The tough talking Auditor-General further pointed out that the failure of the CS put the Contingency kitty at risk in regards that it would be exhausted hence making it difficult to serve the function it was created for.

Rotich grilled by DCI over dam project

Last week, Rotich had been grilled by the DCI for three days over the saga surrounding the Arror and Kimwarer dams project over loss of funds.

DCI Headquarters along Kiambu road Pulse Live Kenya

The police had required the underfire CS to shed light on how in December 2018, an Italian firm, CMC di Ravenna was paid Ksh4.3 billion for the Arror dam, and Sh3.5 billion for the Kimwarer dam on November 6 the same year.

The Treasury boss had been asked to resign by Alego Usoga MP Samuel Atandi over allegations concerning a different scandal.

Mark Mwithaga