The Senate Finance and Budget Committee has tasked the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority with examining Homa Bay County's procurement documents. This directive comes after concerns were raised about the county's compliance with procurement regulations. The committee has given PPRA seven days to complete the audit. The move aims to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the county's procurement submissions.
The audit will involve comparing Homa Bay County's paperwork with the information posted on the Public Procurement Information Portal. PPRA is required to present a final report to the Senate Finance and Budget Committee after completing the audit. This report will help the committee determine whether the county has addressed the compliance concerns raised earlier.
Governor Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay County met with the Senate Finance and Budget Committee, during which the county provided records showing that procurement files and AGPO reports had been uploaded to the portal. The governor emphasized the county's commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation with PPRA. She reiterated Homa Bay's pledge to obey constitutional and procurement statutes.
The Senate Finance and Budget Committee noted that the lingering issues stem from administrative delays and poor communication between county technical staff and PPRA. Vice-Chair Tabitha Mutinda stated that timely submission of documents would have avoided the current review. The committee chair, Ali Roba, emphasized that the Senate will rely on PPRA's independent verification rather than accepting the county's documents at face value.
A pending lawsuit over contract HBC/TRD/003/912303/2021/2022 was also discussed during the meeting. A contractor is seeking payment for a bill that the county classified as pending and under review. Governor Wanga explained that the contractor's court action resulted from impatience while the county completed its reconciliation process.
Homa Bay County claims to have achieved more than 95 percent compliance with procurement regulations. However, the Senate will assess this figure after PPRA's audit. The committee will await PPRA's findings before deciding on any further action or guidance regarding the county's procurement concerns.
The Senate Finance and Budget Committee's directive to PPRA is aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in Homa Bay County's procurement processes. The audit will help to verify the county's compliance with procurement regulations and address any concerns that may have been raised. The committee's actions demonstrate its commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in public procurement.
Key points
- The Senate Finance and Budget Committee has directed PPRA to audit Homa Bay County's procurement submissions within seven days.
- The audit aims to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the county's procurement submissions and address compliance concerns.
- Homa Bay County claims to have achieved more than 95 percent compliance with procurement regulations, which will be assessed after PPRA's audit.
