By Our Reporter
The Public Accounts Committee has raised concern over a decision by Ministries to divert money for research to other use such as payment of allowances.
The committee chaired by Nominated MPJohn Mbadi said that auditor’s reports tabled before them indicated that State Departments were fond of diverting research money to others functions adding that the move was illegal.
“Research is a very critical component in the ministries and the functions have been allocated a good sum of money which some senior government officers divert to payment of staff allowances,” said Mbadi.
He added, “Most staff employed as researchers have been frustrated and rendered irrelevant after funds allocated for research was not used for the same purpose”.
Mbadi made the remarks after the committee was told that millions of shillings meant for research had been diverted to payment of staff allowances by the State Department for Petroleum.
“Review of expenditure records revealed payment of Ksh.42,979,358, some funds from research vote, as allowances to staff working beyond normal working hours,” the report read in part.
The report further noted that these payments were irregular because they were paid to staff undertaking their normal duties at their regular working stations.
The Principal Secretary Mr Mohamed Liban was put to task to explain whyΒ officers in the Department authorised payments which were not approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The report that angered the committee indicated that over Ksh.5 million were paid to 61 staff for participating in preparation of second revision of revenue and expenditure estimates.
Another over Ksh.16 million.paod to staff for participating in closure of financial year 3020/2021, Ksh.6,859,000 to workers to undertake payroll audit and data cleaning for FY 2019/2020.
“I am surprised that the Department has free money to pay 31 staff Ksh.3.5 million for preparing tender documents,” posed Hon Mbadi.
In his response the PS told the Committee that funds paid was for refund of transport expenses for officers who worked beyond normal working hours during COVID-19 period.
“The year under review was difficult one due to the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted negatively on the movement and officers were forced to use taxis to work due to limited public transport,” said Mr Liban.
Solicitor General Mr Shadrack Mose also appeared before the committee to respond to audit queries from audited financial books for the State Law Office.
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