NAIROBI, Kenya – Lawmakers have raised red flags over financial discrepancies within the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), as revealed in its audited accounts for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 financial years.
During a heated session on Wednesday, members of the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy grilled KeNHA Director-General Eng. Kungu Ndungu over the handling of Ksh.128 million tied to already completed projects.
The funds, reportedly sitting in dormant bank accounts, sparked suspicions among MPs about the potential for corruption.
The committee questioned why the money remained unutilized, with concerns voiced that such financial loopholes could easily be exploited for theft or misappropriation.
In response, KeNHA officials acknowledged the existence of six dormant accounts, which they confirmed had since been closed.
However, one account remains active, as it is linked to an ongoing project.
Committee Chair David Pkosing (Pokot South MP) expressed broader concerns over KeNHA’s financial management, including delays in completing projects, large pending bills, and unequal distribution of resources for development.
He stressed that the issue of pending bills—some of which have been outstanding for over three years—needs urgent attention.
“The fact that contractors haven’t been paid in years has caused severe challenges in completing essential projects,” said Pkosing, adding that Transport CS Davis Chirchir and Treasury CS John Mbadi would be summoned on October 29 to explain why the road agency is struggling with its finances.
The audit further raised eyebrows over Ksh.11 million spent by the agency on overseas training, despite the government’s call for austerity.
KeNHA defended the expenditure, stating that the State Department for Infrastructure had approved the travel.
Pkosing emphasized that while KeNHA’s financial challenges reflect broader systemic issues, accountability is needed to ensure public funds are safeguarded.
