President Kenyatta issues warning to all government accounting officers

President Uhuru Kenyatta. He has ordered the freezing of all new government projects until the old ones are completed.  (Courtesy)

NAIROBI—President Uhuru Kenyatta in a bid to utilize national resources has ordered the freezing of all new government projects until the old ones are completed.

In a directive to all government accounting officers, the President warned that they would be held responsible if they sanction new projects without the express authority of the National Treasury.

Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Mr Kenyatta said the directive is aimed at stopping wastage of resources and the habit of government agencies abandoning incomplete projects before jumping onto others.

“There will be no new projects that will be embarked on until you complete those that are ongoing,” said President Kenyatta.

He noted that the only projects which might be excluded from the freeze will be only those that are directly aligned to the Big Four agenda.

“Even if new projects are aligned to the Big Four they cannot be started without express authority from CS or PS of the National Treasury,” said the President.

Uhuru reminded the officers who included principal secretaries, parastatal heads, vice chancellors of public universities and heads of State corporations, that Kenyans expect them to be the guardians of public resources.

The head of state announced that the government will soon launch a new internet portal where all procurements, tenders and contracts will be advertised.

He stated that this will go a long way in safeguarding public funds from theft as it would create transparency.

“All procurement officers have been taken through the operations of the portal and they have given their feedback. The portal will be launched soon,” said Kenyatta.

“The portal will help create accountability because Kenyans will be able to see the processes followed in awarding of tenders,” he added.

National Assembly Budget and Appropriation committee chairman Kimani Ichung’wa hailed the directive as timely that will see prudent utilization of taxpayers money.