In a bid to ensure prudent implementation of the Road Maintenance projects under the Rural Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), the Special Funds Accounts Committee has directed Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) to issue completion certificates to completed projects in two weeks’ time.

Appearing before the Committee, KERRA’s acting Managing Director, Jackson Magondu was tasked to shed light on audit queries flagged by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) regarding the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) for Financial Years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.

In the meeting led by session-chair North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood, it was reported that in FY 2022/2023, KERRA continued with projects without valid time extensions and failed to address unresolved prior year matters despite having been discussed before the Committee.

Responding to the audit queries raised, Magondu attributed the delays to the prevailing weather conditions within the regional office and the lack of funding, noting that all these contribute to project delays especially for small projects.

Further, reports indicate in FY 2023/2024, there was a lack of evidence to support the transfer of Ksh. 3,696,888,000 from the Fund Bank account to the Authority’s operations account, translating to 13% of the total fund expenditure contrary to section 6 (I) of the Kenya Roads Act, 1999 which provides that the Fund shall not transfer to operation amount in excess of 5.5% of the total expenditure for the year.

Defending the Authority, Magondu stated that the 5.5% ceiling applied to the global RMLF and not to the amount remitted to KERRA, citing the Kenya Roads Act 2007, fifth schedule.

“The maximum allowable amount for the operations for FY 2023/2024 was Ksh. 3,846,887,917 as guided by the project funding ceiling from the Kenya Roads Board,” Eng. Magondu said.

In his closing remarks, the Committee’s Vice-Chairperson, Rahim directed KERRA’s management to provide all the necessary documents to the Office of the Auditor in two weeks.

“The Committee hereby directs that KERRA avails the certificates of completion and any other documents to the Office of the Auditor General within two weeks,” remarked Hon. Rahim Dawood.

National Assembly during past session. PHOTO/Parliament.