The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has directed Tanathi Water Works Development Agency to address staffing anomalies after an audit revealed that some officers were occupying positions not provided for in the Agency's approved establishment.

The meeting, chaired by Hon. David Pkosing (Pokot South), reviewed audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General, with members pressing the agency's management to explain issues ranging from budget performance to human resource compliance.

According to the Auditor-General, the agency had an approved staff establishment of 72 positions but only 42 employees in post, leaving a shortfall of 30 officers.

However, the audit further revealed that the approved establishment reflected zero positions for Supply Chain Management officers and one position for an accountant, yet the agency had three officers in supply chain management and two accountants.

"The two departments were therefore over-established, contrary to the provisions of Section 2 (1) (5) of the Agency's human resource policy and procedure manual," the Auditor General stated.

Tanathi Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sammy Naparos acknowledged the finding.

"We are still understaffed and actually we have made a request to the National Treasury for recruitment of additional 17 staff," he said

Committee Members, however, pressed for explanations on how officers could be serving in positions that were not recognized in the approved structure.

Hon. Pkosing questioned how employees could occupy positions that did not exist in the approved organizational structure.

"How do you have somebody serving a job that is not there, or a non-existent job group? How is he paid?" He posed

Human Resource Manager Ms. Catherine Munyao acknowledged the anomaly and informed the committee that she had been recruited before the agency reviewed its staffing structure

"I would like to confirm that, yes, we had three officers in the supply chain and two senior accountants," she said.

"The officers were already in the office. By the time we got the approved structure, the officers were already in office," she added

The Committee directed the agency to redesignate and reassign the affected officers while it reviewed its human resources instruments.

The Committee also examined budget implementation challenges arising from delayed exchequer releases and supported the Auditor-General's recommendation that any funds received after the close of a financial year be recognized as revenue in the following financial year.

"Any money received after the financial year closes must be treated as revenue for that financial year," Hon. Pkosing stated.