MPs blame fund managers for NG-CDF misuse, reject Auditor-General’s claims
In her 2023/2024 financial year report, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu attributed the alleged mismanagement to MPs—an assertion legislators have now dismissed as misleading and baseless.
Members of Parliament have criticised fund account managers for the alleged misuse of National Government-Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF), insisting they should bear full responsibility for the financial irregularities flagged by the Auditor-General.
In her 2023/2024 financial year report, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu attributed the alleged mismanagement to MPs—an assertion legislators have now dismissed as misleading and baseless.
More To Read
- Auditor General Nancy Gathungu lays bare financial, governance crisis at NYS
- Auditor General blames underfunding for Kenya's poor global audit ranking
- Judiciary paid Sh14 billion in staff compensation without records for 2,180 employees - Auditor General
- Auditor-General exposes widespread waste, irregularities in government spending
- Auditor General raises alarm over lack of legal backing in Huduma Kenya operations
- CS Mbadi fires back at critics over school capitation shortfall, pins blame on Parliament
During a session of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee, MPs rejected the report’s findings, maintaining that legislators are not involved in the implementation of the fund. Instead, they said, all accountability should lie with the Fund Account Managers appointed by the NG-CDF Board.
Led by committee chairperson and Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi, the legislators also criticised media reports linking them to the misuse of bursary funds, calling the coverage defamatory and unfounded.
“This Committee has pronounced itself on these false allegations. We do not implement CDF; the Fund Managers should be answerable in cases of irregularities,” Mulyungi stated.
Oversight, not execution
Other committee members echoed the same position, emphasising that MPs are only responsible for oversight—not execution—of projects.
“As MPs, we audit the use of these monies by the Fund Account Managers, who are employees of the NG-CDF Board,” said Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni.
“Any misappropriation squarely falls on their shoulders, not MPs.”
The lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as ongoing misrepresentation by the Office of the Auditor General, saying the reports tarnish their reputations and mislead the public about who is truly accountable.
“The reports in the media are maligning MPs’ names, alleging loss of funds that we are not even in charge of. The OAG (Office of Auditor-General) should give credible information to the press,” said Webuye East MP Martin Pepela Wanyonyi.
“For the media to consistently report on this matter implicating MPs while the actual perpetrators are the Fund Account Managers either points to ignorance on their part, or misinformation from the auditors,” added Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri.
In response to the growing controversy, the Committee has summoned Gathungu to appear before it and explain what MPs say are recurring inaccuracies in the NG-CDF audit reports.
The Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee is mandated to oversee the use of the NG-CDF and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
The legislators said their upcoming session with the Auditor General is intended to set the record straight and curb the spread of inaccurate information in future reports.
Top Stories Today
