MPs question qualifications of NG-CDF account managers amid audit queries
They pointed to instances of misappropriation, stalled projects, unapproved reallocation of funds, and failure to provide required documents during audits as clear signs of incompetence among account managers.
The National Assembly has raised concerns over the qualifications of account managers responsible for handling funds under the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
The Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee is questioning whether these officials possess the necessary expertise to manage public resources effectively.
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The MPs cited repeated audit queries from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) as evidence of mismanagement in the handling of these funds.
They pointed to instances of misappropriation, stalled projects, unapproved reallocation of funds, and failure to provide required documents during audits as clear signs of incompetence among account managers.
“There should be no audit queries on some of these issues if indeed we are dealing with professionals who understand their mandates and are qualified for their jobs,” said Kilifi County Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu.
Lack of awareness
Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni highlighted a lack of awareness among some account managers regarding their responsibilities and the roles of the Project Management Committees (PMCs).
“It is clear that most of these account managers are not conversant with audit processes, records keeping, and even project management,” she stated.
The committee expressed concerns over the effectiveness of training provided to account managers, noting that similar audit problems have persisted year after year.
MPs demanded clarity on the content of training manuals and the qualifications required for these roles.
“Are we getting value for money, and what are these officers trained on annually if the same audit issues keep recurring in each reporting cycle?” questioned Homa Bay County Woman Representative Joyce Bensouda.
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka supported this stance, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation of fund account managers’ capacity.
“As a committee, we have a duty to protect these funds. We need an assessment of the capacity of the Fund Accounts Managers, since these continuous reports indicate a gap that needs to be filled,” he stated.
“You cannot hold an unqualified person accountable for any mess created in undertaking a job they’re mandated to carry out with disregard of their qualification,” Mogaka added.
However, the committee chair raised concerns regarding the audit process itself, questioning whether the OAG’s reports were comprehensive.
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Some account managers had contested certain findings when appearing before parliamentary committees, suggesting discrepancies in the auditing process.
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