The government cannot account for the millions of shillings collected through the Covid-19 task force set up by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2020, Treasury PS Julias Muia has said.
According to Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, the fund had collected Sh1.3 billion by December 31, 2020.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, the PS said the monies raised by the task force did not reflect in their books as they were not part of the fund.
MPs heard that the public fund, which was set up under PFM Act, was turned into a private limited company in total breach of the law.
“As National Treasury, we did not participate on what was going on in the company,” Muia said.
Interestingly, according to Legal Notice that set up the fund, Treasury PS was to be the fund’s administrator, something that changed after it acquired the private status.
“We never got sight of the bank account.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the 12 members team in March 2020.
MPs are probing the whereabouts of the cash that was raised by Kenyans to help in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
“If the legal notice was to establish the fund under PFM Act, at what time was the decision made to register it as a private company?” Posed PAC chairman Opiyo Wandayi.
He added: “I have never seen such a thing like this where something has both the character of being a public entity and private entity at the same time.”
The 21-member team was to be led by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe.
Other team members include; Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo, CS Transport James Macharia, Defence CS Monica Juma, ICT CS Joe Mucheru.
Others are the chairpersons of the Health Committee and Council of Governors, PS Interior Karanja Kibicho, Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, Principal admin secretary Office of the President, PS Health Susan Mochache.
Also included are PS Treasury Julius Muia, PS Foreign affairs Macharia Kamau, Transport PS Esther Koimet, PS Telecommunications Fatuma Hirsi, director-general Medical Services Jackson Kioko, DG Kenya civil aviation authority, DG Kenya airports Authority, Immigration Director, director of medical services KDF Government Spokesperson and the secretariat and director of public health.
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