Audit exposes irregular contracts, backdating at Fafi Constituency's NG-CDF Office

The National Assembly has raised alarm over what it termed as deliberate manipulation of procurement records by the Fafi Constituency NG-CDF office, after audit reports revealed a pattern of irregular contracts that appeared to have been backdated and awarded without following any formal process.

The Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee, led by Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyingi, said it was shocked by findings showing that in several cases, project documents were either generated long after works had started or entirely missing.

During a session held on Tuesday at Parliament Buildings, the committee questioned Fafi Fund Account Manager Omar Hassan Maha over suspicious procurement activities flagged by the Auditor General from as far back as the 2013/14 financial year.

“This report indicates that multiple tender documents were prepared after the contracts were awarded, and practical completion certificates were prepared before the contracts were awarded,” said David Mboni, a member of the committee.

The audit revealed that in 2013/14 alone, Sh14.1 million worth of contracts were handed out without adhering to procurement rules.

In 2014/15, another Sh10.3 million was used on projects that lacked proper documentation, and in 2015/16, contracts worth Sh13 million were issued under similarly questionable circumstances.

Despite the glaring gaps, Omar sought to deflect blame to the Project Management Committees, claiming they oversaw the contract processes.

The MPs rejected the explanation, accusing him of abandoning his oversight role.

“It is so unfortunate that the Account manager is confidently blaming the lack of clear procurement guidelines at the time these irregularities were conducted. It does not make it right that they flouted the existing rules at the time,” said Joyce Osogo Bensouda.

The committee directed him to provide, within seven days, all necessary paperwork, including original advertisements, award letters, evaluation reports, signed contracts, and completion certificates for the projects in question.

Legislators noted that some of the project files reviewed lacked even the basic records, raising suspicion of nonexistent or ghost tenders.

Others had certificates signed before any official procurement had taken place, pointing to possible attempts to legitimise illegal spending after the fact.

Elsewhere, Ijara NG-CDF Account Manager Hussein Mohamud Abdulla was praised for properly responding to audit issues and submitting all required documents.

“Other Managers should emulate your good work, and you should offer mentorship to some of your colleagues who are not yet conversant with the audit processes,” said Vice Chair Gertrude Mbeyu.

However, Baringo South was faulted for poor budget performance and irregular project procurement. Account Manager Michael Kones admitted to challenges due to a lack of procurement professionals within the Project Management Committees.

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• Northern Kenya
• Auditor General Nancy Gathungu
• Fafi
• NG-CDF
• Auditor General's report
• Fafi MP Salah Yakub
• Audit exposes irregular contracts
• backdating at Fafi Constituency's NG-CDF Office

The committee said it would continue summoning NG-CDF managers across the country to enforce accountability and protect public funds from misuse.