Special Audit Unearths Mysterious Ksh713 Million Debt at KICC

A special audit into the debt of the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) brought to light a mysterious debt that could have cost the taxpayers Ksh713 million.

KICC had placed their debt at Ksh1.1 billion but after the audit, the debt was scaled down to Ksh 387 million saving the taxpayers from huge losses.

The debt had been compiled after the conference center played host to a World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in 2018.

The WTO meeting held in 2015 was said to have accrued a debt of Ksh745 million while the other Ksh308 million was from non-WTO related claims.

Recommendations from the special audit were that three top officials at the time be held liable for the questionable WTO contracts.

It also emerged that the Nana Gecaga-led parastatal is yet to clear the debts of most of its suppliers for the event and all other expenses accrued.

Auditor General Edward Ouko warned the KICC management over the risk of losing its assets over the delayed payments.

Reports by Daily Nation on Thursday indicated that KICC was yet to start paying the suppliers despite the orders from President Uhuru Kenyatta on June 1, 2019, in Narok.

Suppliers to the 10th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference held in Nairobi from December 15-19, 2015, are yet to be paid Ksh175.5 million

Other contractors and suppliers are owed Ksh 211.4 million for laying of new cabro pavements and refurbishment works, among others.