A report by the Auditor General has revealed multiple irregularities in the Kenya Revenue Authority’s recruitment for Revenue Service Assistant positions filled last year and the national government’s blatant wasteful expenditure.
The auditor general revealed recruitment was unfair, with 56% from Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities, painting a picture of recruitment based on tribal lines. Further, 69 applicants with grades below D+ participated in aptitude test 1, and 30 in test 2, despite falling way below the recommended threshold. Additionally, 5,557 applicants failed to disclose their age but KRA irregularly allowed them to proceed with the application and selection process.
The transparency of the process was further thrown into question, with the revelation that the system initially recorded 127,112 applicants, and later corrected to 123,525. Also, the system allowed incomplete applicants and included cases where identity numbers had non-numeric characters, were missing, or were duplicated among other applicants. The report further reveals that some applicants were allowed to submit more than one application using different identity numbers.
An analysis of government spending for the fiscal year 2023/24 revealed a total of Sh54 billion in wasteful expenditure. This breakdown includes Sh3.8 billion spent on hospitality, Sh980 million on fuel and lubricants, and Sh358 million on servicing vehicles. Additionally, Sh14 billion was allocated to domestic and foreign travel, Sh32 billion to other operating expenses, and Sh2.8 billion to various other costs.
Sports Kenya’s management is facing scrutiny following Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s report, which highlights serious issues with several projects. Despite an allocation of Sh4.3 billion to key initiatives, these projects are experiencing significant delays and problems. At Kamariny Stadium, Sh81.6 million has been spent, yet only about 30% of the work is complete. The project has been stalled since 2017, with the contractor absent from the site.
For Kipchoge Keino Stadium Phase I, Sh326.8 million has been spent, representing 88% of the total Sh304.2 million contract. However, Phase I remains incomplete, and the project has halted with the contract termination process underway. The value for money remains unverified.
Karatu Stadium has consumed Sh149.4 million, which is 58% of the Sh259.6 million contract. However, there are numerous issues, including an incomplete 1,500-seat pavilion, collapsed perimeter walls, an unfinished car park, and an undrilled borehole. There have been no visits from Public Works officials since 2020.
Additionally, the Moi International Sports Centre is under scrutiny for constructing a Bus Rapid Transit facility on its land without Cabinet approval. This project falls outside of Sports Kenya’s mandate, thus breaching legal requirements.
Source: moneyacademyKE
