LUANDA, Angola – A Kenyan delegation at the 15th Ordinary Session of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in Luanda, Angola, has called for enhanced financial oversight and transparency within the regional body to strengthen public trust and increase resource mobilization.
Led by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, the Kenyan team voiced concerns about delays in releasing financial reports and the lack of involvement of member states in the auditing process.
During a meeting of the ICGLR Parliamentary Forum’s Committee on Finance and Resource Mobilization, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga highlighted that these delays were hindering the ability of member states to critically assess the financial health of the organization and contribute to more effective resource mobilization.
“Some of these reports need to be released in good time, so that the member states are also able to review and critique them in good time,” Senator Wamatinga said.
Furthermore, Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, a member of the delegation, urged the ICGLR Finance Committee to bolster its auditing processes.
He suggested the inclusion of external auditors when necessary to ensure the financial reports are credible and convincing, thereby building confidence among the member states.
“The principle objective of this Committee is to oversight all the funds that come to ICGLR, and after these deliberations, we expect that Members will adopt a report. If these emerging concerns are not addressed, the report may face disapproval when it is tabled before the Executive Committee,” said Rindikiri.
The Kenyan delegation’s concerns were echoed by other member states, who also questioned some of the expenditures incurred by the regional body.
President of the ICGLR Finance and Resource Mobilization Committee, Suzana Augusta, agreed with the delegation’s concerns and called on state parties to swiftly settle their arrears to facilitate the timely implementation of key regional agendas, including peace and security initiatives in member states.
The call for greater financial prudence and accountability at the ICGLR is aimed at ensuring that the body can effectively serve its member states and address critical regional issues.
