The National Assembly is seeking answers on why the Kenyan government paid Ksh150 million to British nationals in Kenya’s payroll since independence.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says some Britons are still part of Kenya’s payroll.
This is despite them leaving Kenya close to six decades ago.
The lawmakers issued a seven-day ultimatum to Treasury Principal Secretary Julius Muia to table files and records showing proof of life and work conditions for the Britons under the payroll.
“We cannot pay millions to nonexistent people since 1963. If they are alive, they were laid off 58 years ago. We want life certificates and payments schedules within a week,” Garissa Town MP Aden Duale said.
The law dictates that Britons must file their records yearly. The documents are updated on the Crown Agents’ records.
But, the National Treasury officials failed to account for the records which have not been updated in the recent past.
Treasury PS insisted that the Britons still live in Kenya.
“We have no life certificates. We will get details about the recipients of the millions. These people are in Kenya and I request you give us two weeks to furnish these details,” Muia defended his ministry.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu raised the issue seeking clarification on why retired Britons are on Kenya’s payroll.
Reports indicate that Kenya paid Ksh150 million to the Britons and a further Ksh112 million to the widows of the deceased foreign workers hired by the British colonial administration.
“However, no evidence was provided that the pensioners’ details were submitted before payments were effected as required by the Pension Department’s internal controls,” Gathungu stated.
Earlier, the National Assembly had initially ordered a fresh audit of pension payments made to former State employees residing abroad.
