GOVERNOR OPARANYA’S WORDS OF WISDOM AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE ADVISED TO STRICTLY ADHERE TO PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT

Work well and consistently. Work hard but within your capacity to deliver quality services to the public. These were the words of Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya Wednesday morning when he officially opened a three-day workshop for senior Kakamega County officials to finalize the 2019/2020 supplementary budget.

“It is imperative for us to put in place corruption preventive measures as we prepare budgetary proposals because these resources have been entrusted to us by the citizens,” he said adding that due attention should be paid to corruption prone sectors at the two levels of government including health services, agriculture and County Public Service Board.

However, governor Oparanya who is also the chair of Council of Governors said Kakamega had a good name nationally which must be safeguarded.

“Cut down wastage particularly in printing of common user items and embrace the cashless system because the world has moved away from doing huge cash transactions,” he said. Common user items will now be printed centrally by the department of Public Service and Administration, said the County boss.

Governor Oparanya warned staff against delaying payments to suppliers with intentions of soliciting kick backs, saying everything must be done above board.
“This is a public institution, not private. Whatever we do is subject to public scrutiny even through the court process,” he said.

The governor who was accompanied by deputy governor H.E. Prof. Philip Museve Kutima and the CEC Member for Finance and Planning, Mr. Geoffrey Omulayi told CECs, Chief Officers, accountants, planners and heads of departments emphasized that budget planning and execution must be compliant with Public Finance Management Act and related rules and regulations, and in line with County Integrated Development Plan, Annual Development Plans and the national Vision 2030.

“Develop budgets as provided for under the law, show itemised expenditure as it appears in the budget and ensure high absorption levels,” the governor said.

He then took time to map out all the important controls along the way right from project initiation/design to implementation and commissioning, pointing out the need for approvals and close monitoring by CECs and chief officers at departmental meetings level, the Cabinet, the department of Finance and Planning, Procurement and IFMIS system controls.

Finally, the governor made a strong parting shot on timely accounting for imprests and emphasis on the need for all concerned to ensure adherence to Finance department’s template to ensure that all departments are compliant with Public procurement rules and regulations.
“The process must never be circumvented by anybody,” he warned.

Also present were the chairperson of the County Public Service Board, Madam Catherine Omweno, the deputy chair, Mr. John Subai, County Secretary and Head of Public Service, the deputy CS, the County Attorney, the CEOs of County Agencies and advisers.