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{
"id": 1546025,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1546025/?format=api",
"text_counter": 128,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13162,
"legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
"slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
},
"content": "consideration of the reports of the Auditor-General on the financial statements, for Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Taita-Taveta, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira and Nairobi City County Assemblies, for the Financial Year 2023/2024, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 27th March, 2025, and approves the recommendations of the Committee on the financial statements of the respective county assemblies for the Financial Year 2023/2024. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to be brief in moving this Motion. In the financial year under review, 47 county assemblies were audited. A total sum of 45 of them had a qualified opinion, and two had adverse opinions. Embarrassingly, the two county assemblies that had adverse opinions were Homa Bay County Assembly and Migori County Assembly. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we did not ask the county assemblies to appear before the Committee, but we gave them an opportunity to submit their written responses. Their responses were verified by the Office of the Auditor-General. My committee sat down and reviewed the supporting annexures and adopted the Report that has been laid before the House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you will notice that the Fiduciary Risks Report excludes the county assemblies. One of the key issues that emerged from the conversations or audit reports from county assemblies was asset management. Most county assemblies have not acquired ownership of the properties and premises where they sit. However, one county assembly has been successful in that, not in this financial year but in the past, the Narok County Assembly, which has gotten the title to the Assembly premises. The Auditor-General has flagged this matter over the years. Some county assemblies are still paying salaries outside the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Database (IPPD) system. This is symptomatic of fraud because when you pay outside the system, you are basically paying ghosts. Of importance to the Finance and Budget Committee is that a number of county assemblies are receiving more than 7 per cent of a county's revenue. Under the Public Finance Management (County Government Regulations), we had set a threshold of 7 per cent. However, over the years, through the various instruments that the Senate passes, the Division of Revenue, and additional allocations, we have revised the ceilings to an effect where the average disbursement to county assemblies today is about 12 per cent, way above the 7 per cent. The Senate, especially the Finance and Budget Committee, needs to look at this. If the 7 per cent in regulation is not sufficient, then let us amend the regulation. We have seen weak governance in a number of county assemblies and non-functional county assembly service boards. We need to tighten the law because what some county assemblies are doing to control the finances is that they are impeaching the speaker. After impeaching the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}