The Senate County Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, has instructed the Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly to adhere to the Public Finance Management Regulations when paying per diem to the officers of the County Assembly. 

While meeting with the leadership of the County Assembly led by the Speaker Philemon Sabulei at Parliament Buildings earlier today, the Honorable Senators heard that during the Financial Year ended 30th June 2020, Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly paid Ksh12,006,151 in cash to various officers for use in foreign and domestic travel and subsistence, contrary to Regulation 91 (1) and Regulation 93 (3) of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulation, 2015.   

The Members of the Committee subsequently expressed their concerns over the unconfirmed balances. 

“Speaker, if you take your route, there will be no control, warrant, authorizations or surrender. The Regulations require such expenses to be incurred through imprests that the respective payees account for. You must adhere to the Public Finance Management Regulations,” Senator Kajwang’ said. 

On his part, Hon. Sabulei admitted that the payments were not treated as imprests but as reimbursements since payment was done after the activities had taken place due to late disbursement of funds by the National Treasury. However, he assured the Committee that he has since laid down measures to ensure that the County Assembly complies with the regulations. 

“We stand guided. Indeed, my officers have complied in the respective Financial Years that have followed after this. I have asked them to produce those documents,” Honorable Sabulei said. 

The County Assembly of Elgeyo Marakwet County was appearing before the County Public Accounts Committee to answer audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor General.