The Public Investment Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy Chaired by Hon. David Pkosing has for the second time met Kenya Forestry Service (KFS)  Acting Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Alex Lemarkoko to question him over the accounts for Financial Years 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. Members of the Committee had expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. Lemarkoko's responses when he initially appeared before the Committee.

The Committee sought to know why officers from KFS had approved and later awarded themselves imprest payments amounting to Kshs 1.7 million contrary to the finance manual of the service and the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act of 2012.

In his response, the Commandant Mr. Lemarkoko informed the Committee that it was common procedure for the officers to approve different expenditures including those that they are personally undertaking.

Members of the Committee were still not convinced with the responses Mr. Lemarkoko gave and the Chairperson directed that the Service provides a more detailed report on its operations manual in relation to the query.

The committee noted that the  Auditor Generals failed to include this anomaly in subsequent years' financial reports without an explanation despite the fact that the matter had not been resolved.

Hon. Pkosing said a more detailed response was critical to allow the Committee get to the bottom of the matter. "I, therefore, ask that KFS officers go back and put their house in order before appearing before this Committee again in the next two weeks,” said Hon. Pkosing. 

Members present were; Vice-Chair Hon. Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), Hon. Capt. Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), Hon. Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Hon. Adan Keynan (Eldas), Hon. Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East) and Hon. Machua Waithaka (Kiambu).