Parliament Grills Labour PS Over Spending Ksh244 Million Without Approval
Joseph Motari was questioned by the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly after the State Department of Social Protection failed to account for Ksh244 million in expenditures.
Monday, lawmakers asserted that the department failed to provide the necessary documentation to prove that the expenditure was authorized. According to a report from the Auditor General, the department spent Kshs244,901,512 on unsupported material and supply purchases.
Thus, they sought the PS’s response to audit questions that revealed the illegal expenditure of funds without a schedule.
John Mbadi, the committee chair for Suba, demanded to know why the PS allegedly circumvented procurement laws when procuring specialized materials and supplies.
“The law is very clear that such expenditure must be supported by the schedule…why did the Department overlook the law,” posed Mbadi, an opposition politician allied with the Azimio coalition.
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Motari asserted, contrary to the auditor’s report, that the department incurred the expense by purchasing food, medical supplies, uniforms, and apparel.
According to the PS, the apparatus was distributed to Children’s rehabilitation schools, rescue centers, detention homes, and vocational rehabilitation centers.
“By the time of the audit Remand Homes had not submitted their returns on time,” he added as he submitted the required supportive documents to the Committee.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection oversees the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs.
It was established this year in response to Executive Order No. 1 of 2023, which reorganized the government.
Its primary mission is to safeguard and secure the rights and welfare of all children by coordinating, supervising, and providing services by the Constitution and the Children Act of 2022.
In addition, the department is responsible for the payment of financial transfers to Seniors, people with disabilities, orphans, and Vulnerable Children.
Parliament Grills Labour PS Over Spending Ksh244 Million Without Approval