A House committee has warned Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa
Mailu that he may be forced to pay from his pocket if he hires a private
auditor to verify questionable ministry spending amounting to Sh5.3
billion.
Parliamentary Accounts
Committee (PAC) chairman Nicholas Gumbo on Tuesday called out Dr Mailu's
suggestion of an external auditor to probe the scandal, saying it does
not make sense.
Dr Mailu had accused
the internal auditor of leaking an incomplete audit report to the media,
and said he would hire an independent external auditor to verify the
corruption claims.
This came as
claims emerged that Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri had
attempted to remove the ministry’s internal auditor “for constantly
producing qualified audit reports on the ministry’s spending".
SURCHARGED
Speaking
to Nation.co.ke, Mr Gumbo claimed it was illegal for the ministry to
employ an external auditor, adding that only the Auditor-General is
mandated to audit government accounts.
“If
he does that (seeking external auditor), he will have a lot of
explanations to make to the PAC with a guaranteed risk that he will be
personally surcharged,” Mr Gumbo said.
“In
fact, if the minister invites 'external auditors' he shall have
violated the clear provisions of Article 226(3) of our Constitution
which states, inter-alia, that '...the accounts of all Government and
State organs shall be audited by the Auditor-General'".
Mr
Gumbo, also the Rarieda MP, said not only will the minister be
surcharged, but “he shall have invited upon himself the process of being
removed from office. He must stand warned.”
The
PAC chairman spoke as ODM leaders claimed the government was trying to
cover up the scandal by seeking the services of an external auditor.
GRAND COVER-UP
ODM
Secretary-General Agnes Zani, Political Affairs Secretary Opiyo
Wandayi, Deputy Organising Secretary Florence Mutua and Gem MP Jakoyo
Midiwo said Dr Mailu appears to be blaming the internal auditor for the
scandal.
“How could an internal auditor spuriously find that money is missing and it is not missing?” asked Dr Zani.
Mr
Wandayi said calls by Dr Mailu for an external auditor were part of the
grand cover-up designed by and implemented from State House.
“There's no need for more audits. What's required is swift action on the issues raised in the internal audit report,” he said.
Ms Mutua questioned whether it was proper order to waste taxpayers’ money to audit an already audited account.
SHUT UP
“How
do you audit an audit report? They just want to cover up so as to save
the untouchables," said the Busia woman representative.
"Kenya is sinking as Kenyans watch. We have never been through such terrifying times.”
Mr
Midiwo cautioned Dr Mailu to handle the scandal with care, noting that
it happened long before he was named the Cabinet secretary.
“He (Dr Mailu) should shut up. He is putting a rope on his neck,” the Gem MP said.
On
Tuesday, Health ministry internal auditor Bernard Muchere was
questioned by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officers in
connection with the audit report.
Also interrogated was head of accounts Joyce Mutungi.
The team is expected to begin interrogating Mr Muraguri and head of finance Peter Odundo on Tuesday.
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