Kenyan MPs have raised concerns over Ksh 1.8 billion sitting idle in embassies in the United States, United Kingdom, and Ethiopia.
The issue came up on Friday, September 12, when MPs summoned Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei. They wanted clarity on the funds, citing worries about financial discipline and stalled diplomatic projects.
The Auditor General, Nancy Gathungu, had earlier reported that these funds accumulated over several years. Missions abroad failed to return unspent allocations at the end of each financial year, leading to the buildup of Ksh 1.8 billion in development cash book balances.
PS Sing’oei explained that the funds are set aside for specific projects. In Washington, D.C., some of the money is for contractors’ retention on completed works. These funds remain until the defects liability period ends. Other allocations are for ongoing refurbishment work.
The London embassy raised the biggest concern. Most of the funds, Ksh 1.7 billion, were meant for buying a Chancery property. PS Sing’oei said the property had been identified, and procurement finalized. However, the funds could not be used because the Attorney General had not approved the hiring of a conveyancing lawyer.
MPs pressed for documents showing the contract details, timelines, and legal procedures. Aldai MP Marianne Kitany questioned why the ministry started the process without a lawyer and why separate legal approval is now needed.
Smaller portions of the funds, about Ksh 215 million, relate to Washington and Addis Ababa missions.
The parliamentary committee resolved that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must submit a detailed report on the London property purchase and other mission expenditures. The goal is to ensure transparency and proper financial management.
