Billions of shillings set aside for Kenya’s diplomatic missions abroad remained untouched during the last financial year, even as several embassies struggled with ageing buildings, delayed renovations and growing maintenance needs.
A new audit by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu found that Sh2.65 billion allocated for development projects at Kenyan missions overseas was still sitting in bank accounts at the end of the 2024–25 financial year. The figure marks a sharp rise from the Sh1.8 billion reported in the previous audit, raising fresh questions about how development funds are being managed.
According to the audit, Kenyan missions abroad held Sh3.58 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which Sh2.65 billion represented development funds that had not been spent.
“The balance has been built up over the years as a result of failure to surrender the unutilised development funds at the end of the financial year,” Gathungu said in her report.
She added that the Ministry had not explained how the accumulated funds would eventually be spent or why they had not been factored into subsequent budget plans.
The findings point to long-running weaknesses in project planning, implementation and financial oversight within the State Department for Foreign Affairs.
The audit paints a striking picture. While Kenyan missions have repeatedly complained of inadequate funding for repairs and day-to-day operations, large sums earmarked for development have remained untouched.
In Berlin, the government-owned Kenya House continues to require major rehabilitation. The Ambassador’s residence also remains in need of extensive repairs despite earlier commitments to restore the property.
In Dar es Salaam, auditors flagged delays in renovating staff housing and raised concerns that government-owned land had not been fenced, leaving it vulnerable to encroachment.
Similar concerns emerged in Paris and Abuja, where maintenance and refurbishment projects have also stalled, allowing government-owned properties to deteriorate further.
The findings reinforce concerns raised in previous audit reports and by the Controller of Budget, which has repeatedly warned that slow spending on development projects is delaying the rehabilitation of Kenya’s diplomatic properties abroad.
For years, ambassadors and heads of mission have cited ageing offices, leaking roofs, outdated electrical systems and inadequate housing for diplomats. Many have argued that budget constraints have forced them to postpone essential repairs.
The latest audit, however, suggests the problem extends beyond funding shortages. Delayed procurement processes, weak project planning and poor implementation appear to be preventing projects from moving forward even after money has been allocated.
The accumulation of idle funds also comes at a difficult time for the government as it faces growing fiscal pressure and rising public debt, increasing scrutiny over how public resources are managed.
Parliament has previously questioned the Foreign Affairs ministry over recurring audit concerns involving delayed projects, weak financial controls and poor management of diplomatic assets.
Gathungu’s latest report indicates that many of those concerns remain unresolved. Among the outstanding issues are unreconciled bank balances, inconsistencies in financial statements, delayed disbursement of funds to missions, procurement shortcomings and weaknesses in the management of government properties abroad.
The audit also highlights governance concerns, including delays in presenting ambassadors’ letters of credence to host governments and weaknesses in accounting for security-related expenditure.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is expected to respond to the audit findings through the normal parliamentary oversight process.
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