The Auditor-General Edward Ouko's latest report has exposed a number of questionable expenses in the Sports ministry during the embattled Former CS Rashid Echesa’s tenure.
According to the report, the ministry cannot account for various expenditures including Sh2.5 million used to sponsor two National Assembly members to watch the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.
The findings also show that the CS misled the public with the expenditure on the construction of stadia in various parts of the nation.
The report, which accounts for the financial year ending June 30, 2018, was tabled in parliament by the National majority leader Aden Duale.
Echesa’s office reportedly used over Sh.1.6 billion on five stadia and 10 training pitches located in different parts of Kenya but the ministry's record remain unclear.
The stadia on the spot are Jomo Kenyatta Stadium (Machakos), Moi Sports Centre Kasarani (Nairobi), Nyayo(Nairobi) Kinoru (Meru), and Kipchoge Keino in Eldoret.
The report also queries Sh. 329.8 million of the pending bills during the duration Echesa was at the helm of power.
The report also queries over Sh.300.5 million contract awarded by Echesa’s office before he left. It remains unclear whether the contractor completed the project.
“It was noted that the security guarantee was valid up to February 2018 and had therefore expired by the time of the audit carried out ,” reads part of the report, as quoted by Daily Nation
The report cannot ascertain whether the said bills are genuine or not.
There are various disbursements that cannot be budgeted for in the ministry of sports weeks after Echesa was sent packing by President Uhuru Kenyatta following a reorganization.
The mini reshuffle came after Uhuru warned his Cabinet against corruption and engagement in early 2022 campaigns before Echesa was shown the door.