Members of Parliament questioned the Tharaka Fund Account Manager about unprocedural procurement processes, including unconfirmed value of the fund's assets.
Appearing before the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee, chaired by Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi, the manager was also challenged over the lack of ownership documents, including the missing title deed for the land on which the constituency’s NG-CDF offices stand.
The committee also pressed him to explain the unconfirmed value of the fund's assets.
These issues were raised as part of a review of audit queries from the Auditor General spanning ten years (from 2013/14 to 2022/23) and covering both Tharaka and Chuka-Igambang'ombe constituencies.
Apart from concerns about the title deed, the Tharaka Fund Account Manager was singled out and questioned during the committee meeting about unprocedural procurement processes.
The Chuka-Igambang'ombe constituency manager was also scrutinised for making unprocedural procurement decisions.
He was also questioned about the delays in implementing projects during the 2022/23 financial year.
The former manager attempted to justify these delays by stating that the implementation had been interfered with by the election cycle.
“How does an election hinder project implementation, because managers are never part of elections?” Webuye East MP, Martin Wanyonyi dismissed manager's statement.
Meru MP Dorothy Muthoni supported Wanyonyi, stressing that elections do not halt the disbursement of funds, and that projects should therefore proceed as planned, regardless of the political calendar.
However, the committee scheduled a follow-up meeting with both constituencies for next week to ensure accountability and compliance.
NG-CDF managers will be required to present detailed documents for the MPs' review, including Bills of Quantities (BQs), procurement documents, completion certificates and photographs of the projects in question.
