Confusion after theft of sensitive documents held by Interior ministry

There is confusion in government after the Auditor General Edward Ouko blew the whistle on theft of sensitive travel documents worth Sh1.4 billion.

In his report, Ouko noted that the Ministry of Interior Coordination could only account for Sh1.5 billion passports and stickers against documents worth Sh2.9 billion delivered to the embassies in the two years.

In response, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho told parliament that his ministry was innocent and that blame should be apportioned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kibicho claimed that the travel documents, which include visa stickers and passports, were released by the Ministry of Interior but did not reach the embassies which are under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“In view of the above, the Sh2.9 billion ought to have been reported and accounted for as appropriations in aid by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statements of assets and liabilities among other receipts for services rendered at the missions,” the Interior PS told the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Kibicho told MPs that his ministry procured the stickers and passports for use at the entry points in the country and in foreign missions.

The entry points and foreign missions are managed under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The stickers are issued to foreigners who need visas to enter Kenya while the passports are meant for Kenyans in the diaspora.