- Senate ad hoc committee wants Treasury CS Ukur Yatani to present reports.
- Counties to make similar reports to the MCAs.
Senators have asked the National Emergency Response Fund to make monthly income and expenditure reports to Parliament to enhance accountability.
The Ad-hoc Committee on the Covid-19 situation in Kenya in its fifth progress report to the House said consistent checks on the fund will ensure proper accountability of the billions so far collected for the kitty.
The committee chaired by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja wants Treasury CS Ukur Yatani to bring before Parliament and respective county assemblies comprehensive information of the monies collected and how they are used.
“To enhance accountability for and oversight over the Covid-19 Emergency Fund, and other funds established at the national and county level, the National Treasury, and the county treasuries to submit monthly income and expenditure reports to Parliament and the respective county assemblies,” the committee said in its report dated May 12.
“Community-level monitoring and evaluation frameworks should also be put in place to ensure proper oversight of emergency Covid-19 funds at both the national and county levels.”
As of yesterday 2.45 pm, the fund had received donations totaling to Sh2.6 billion. This is according to the information posted on its website.
The Kenya Covid-19 Fund was established on March 30 by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The principal objective of the fund is to mobilise resources for an emergency response towards containing the spread, effects and impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The resources seek to support the government’s efforts in the supply of medical facilities and equipment and support for vulnerable communities with their immediate needs, including food.
The board is chaired by Kenya Breweries Limited MD Jane Karuku and members include Kennedy Kihara (secretary), Michael Joseph, James Mwangi, Joshua Oigara, Narenda Raval, Jeremy Awori, Wachira Waruru, Mohammed Hersi and Phyllis Wakiaga.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and Governor Wycliffe Oparanya (Council of Governors chairman) are the government’s joint representatives on the board.
Senators also raised concerns about breaches of procurement rules by both the national and county governments in the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment and face masks given the emergency nature of the procurement of such items.
“On transparency and accountability, the committee recommends the strict enforcement of procurement rules as contained in the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, as well as the various guidelines and protocols issued thereon,” Sakaja's team said.
The committee had by Wednesday, May 13 held 50 sittings, most of them being virtual meetings.
Edited by P.O