The management of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has been put on the spot over a series of queries in procurement processes between the 2018–2019 and 2020–2021 financial years.
Appearing on Wednesday for the second consecutive day before the National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy, KMA Managing Director, Engineer Martin Munga, was interrogated over queries raised by the office of the Auditor General, during the years under review.
Among the queries probed by the Committee Chaired by Pokot South Member of Parliament (MP), David Pkosing, were unconfirmed Revenues from Non-Exchange Transactions.
According to the Auditor General, monthly and annual reports on imports and export fees, were not provided for audit, even though separate records indicated that the Authority had collected merchant shopping levies totaling Sh1.6 million and a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collection cost of Sh38.7 million.
“As a result, the accuracy and competence of the revenue arising from the levies of Sh 1.7 million, could not be confirmed,” reads the Auditor General Report in part.
During the probe, Mr. Munga, who has been in his position for only six (6) weeks, was cautioned that the nondisclosure of information sought by the Committee would have implications on the culpability of KMA officials when the Committee retreats to draft its Report.
“This Committee enjoys powers equivalent to those of a High Court, and our final Report is actionable by relevant authorities,” said Pkosing.
On Tuesday, the Committee also visited KMA Headquarters in Mombasa to inspect the administration complex, whose construction has some of the audit queries under the Committee’s probe.
By Nuru Soud
