National Assembly Summons Treasury and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretaries Over Road Agency Audit Queries
The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has summoned Treasury Cabinet Secretary Hon. John Mbadi and Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Mr. Davis Chirchir to address critical audit queries regarding road agencies. The hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday.
The summons follows a review of the audited accounts of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for the financial years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, during which Committee Chairperson Hon. David Pkosing (Pokot South) expressed serious concerns over the agency’s inability to resolve significant issues raised during the audits.
Key findings included numerous incomplete projects, a backlog of pending bills, uneven resource allocation for development, and delays attributed to contractors. Hon. Pkosing emphasized the need for clarity on why road agencies face substantial outstanding payments, highlighting that some contractors have gone unpaid for over three years, causing severe financial distress.
“This is not solely the fault of the KeNHA leadership but a broader political issue involving the Ministries and Treasury,” Pkosing stated, noting that local MPs often request additional projects during presidential visits, complicating funding and project management.
Vice-chairperson Hon. (Dr.) Lilian Gogo (Rarieda) urged the Cabinet Secretaries to fulfill presidential commitments, especially in regions like Nyanza and Western Kenya, where many projects are stalled due to unpaid bills.
Hon. Farah Yusuf (Wajir West) voiced concerns about the grave impact on contractors, with some resorting to desperate measures due to financial pressures.
The audit also flagged a 75% increase in KeNHA’s board expenses, raising questions about misclassified budget items and expenditures linked to canceled trips. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the agency’s land ownership in Nakuru, valued at Kshs. 489 million, with pending title deeds.
KeNHA Director-General Eng. Kungu Ndungu has called for legislative support to secure essential funding, emphasizing the agency’s ambitious plan to construct 750 kilometers of road from Isiolo to Mandera within the next two to three years.
“Investing in a robust road network is crucial for Kenya’s development,” Ndungu stated, underscoring the need for affirmative action in infrastructure funding to ensure equitable development across all regions.
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