Counties risk missing out on Danish funds

Questions have been raised over the utilisation of a Sh2.2 billion donor fund given by the Danish Government to support health functions in the counties.

In a letter to the Council of Governors (CoG) dated October 23, the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) said an audit had revealed that 15 counties have unspent monies in their accounts for universal health care (UHC) support programme for level 2 and 3 hospitals.

Insufficient information

The counties are Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kericho, Kilifi, Kisii, Kitui, Meru, Migori, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Siaya and Trans Nzoia.

Danida further said its auditors, Ernest & Young, were unable to audit 11 counties after receiving late or insufficient information. These counties are Baringo, Garissa, Mandera, Marsabit, Mombasa, Murang’a, Taita Taveta, Turkana, Vihiga, Wajir and West Pokot.

According to the audit report, Sh2.5 million was unaccounted for in Machakos County.

The auditors, however, gave 20 counties a clean bill of health and they are scheduled to receive their share of funds for the current financial year.

These are Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Makueni, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Tharaka Nithi, Tana River and Uasin Gishu.

“Danida has currently transferred Sh468,750,000 to the National Treasury for the first half of 2019-20 allocation, which is awaiting transfer to counties. However, transfers to the counties are conditional upon adequate utilisation of funds from previous financial years,” Deputy Head of Mission at the Danish Embassy, Henrik Larsen, wrote to CoG’s Chief Executive Jacqueline Mogeni.

Mr Larsen added: “For the 27 counties with reason for concern, we count upon your support to urgently follow up so as to ensure these counties can continue to benefit from Danida funds for 2019-20 and beyond.”

The counties that are yet to utilise the Danish organisation’s funds have been given a deadline to do so, failing which they should wire the money back to Danida’s account by November 8.

The devolved units that gave incomplete information to auditors have also been instructed to provide the necessary details by the same date.