The Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council, the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority, Tobacco Control Board and the Valuers Registration Board were among the State Agencies appeared before the National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture to explain the reasons behind their books not being audited why their audit books have never been audited by the office of the Auditor-General as required by the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act. 

Just like previous Agencies that have appeared before this Committee this week, the Hon. Emanuel Wangwe-led Committee, noted that the above four have similar challenges. Despite being established under the respective Acts of Parliament, the Kenya Health Human Resource Council and the Kenya Health Professionals Oversight Authority are still receiving their budgets itemised under the Ministry of Health.  

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Health, Human Resource Advisory Council, Dr. John Kihama told the Committee that the Agency's Board was gazetted in may 2023 despite the establishment of the Act in 2017. The Committee requested that Dr. Kihama furnishes the Committee with all approved estimates of the last three financial years together with their absorption and the utilisation of the balances. They pointed out that the Ministry was in violation of the law by micro managing the Agency.

Dr. Jackson Kioko, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority also told the Committee that despite getting a fully functional Board of management in June last year, their funds are audited together with the State Department of Public Health. 

"Chair, the way we have been oparating is not good. It is very frustrating that we keep on making requisitions to the Ministry of Health to undertake an activity. We also don't have staff and have been pleadeding with the Ministry to sort this out but it has not been forthcoming", he pleaded. 

On his part, the Tobacco Control Board Secretary Antony Wainaina shared the same frustrations. He however he was not able to explain the actual position on two accounts under the Agency; the Tobacco Control Board Account fund and the Tobacco Control Fund Account. 

It was difficult for the Committee to comprehend which account is audited by the Auditor-General. They Committee has resolved to write to the Auditor General to clarify the issue. 

The Valuers Registration Board Registrar Gregory Masika and the Board Chairperson, Jacinta Mutua were the last to appear today. They informed the Committee that they have never received funding from the Government in the name of their agencies and therefore could not present any audited books before the Committee as requested earlier.

Before adjournment, Hon. Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) asked the Committee to follow up with Government Ministries still holding on independent public institutions to ensure that all State Agencies are allowed to operate autonomously; are be able to prepare their budgets, manage their expenditures and account for the same. He further said what is happening is in breach of the law.