The National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture met the management of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) , an agency mandated with the regulation, development and promotion of crops.

Officials of AFA appeared before the Committee chaired by Hon. Emannuel Wangwe (Navakholo) to respond to audit queries for the Financial Year 2018/2019.  

AFA Acting Director General Mr. Wills Audi was asked to explain why the Authority has been operating without a substantive Board of Directors for 5 years. This is after the term of the interim substantive Board lapsed.

"Who used to approve the budget? Is there any section of the Agriculture and Food Authority  Act that allows the management to approve your own budget?", Hon. Wangwe asked.

Making his contribution Hon. Jackson Kosgey (Nominated) noted that the Act establishes the Board and the Board runs the organisation. "When there was absence of  action from the Ministry, you should have sought the advice of the Attorney General", he said.

In his response, Mr.  Audi owned up to the fact that the Authority operated without following the law. 

"Mr. Chairman, it's true that we operated illegally, however the responsibility of appointing a new Board was not within our mandate. I want to assure this Committee that despite the shortcoming, all our operations were within the guidelines required for approval", Mr. Audi said.