Auditor’s report has revealed that a total Kshs 4.3 Billion was never accounted for by Vihiga County Government in the financial year 2016/2017. According to the area Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo the report brings out various issues on the public finance management at the County government.
The executive failed to maintain assets registered with irregular insurance of imprests that had no signatures from authorized individuals. The report also touches on inadequate documentation to carry out audit with accounting omissions with inaccuracies in expenditures.
The other statement of receipts and payment include payments of Kshs 4,269,459,541, which in turn includes Kshs 339,929,466 for other grants and transfers which were not supported with appropriate ledger balances or schedules.
It was not possible for the Auditor to confirm whether the entire expenditure reported under grants and transfers were used for the intended purpose.
Ottichilo added that the County Government has made strides towards addressing the pending bills noting that the County pending bills committee chaired by his Deputy Patrick Saisi was mandated to check on validity of pending bills claims before payment could be initiated.
The Vihiga County Governor reiterated that in the year 2018/2019 financial year supplementary budget, Kshs 200 million was allocated for pending bills.