Audit details irregular spending in Affirmative Action Fund
NEWS
A report by the Auditor-General paints a grim picture of how some women and youth groups spent money allocated to them by the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
In the 2019-2020 financial year, the fund is said to have received Sh2.4 billion for use in various projects across the counties but part of it was diverted by some beneficiaries to merry-go-rounds and other things that were not approved by the fund managers.
The report details cases where women groups in 10 counties diverted funds, spent money without sufficient documentary evidence and other irregularities.
Gender-Based Violence cases hit record high numbers in Kenya in 2020, raising concerns on the safety of women and girls who are the most vulnerable and affected in the society, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics released on Thursday by the Ministry of Public Service and Gender show that there was a 36 percent spike in GBV cases in 2020 when 5,009 cases were recorded.
Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia said the cases were recorded between January and December, and represented an increase of 1,411 compared to cases reported in 2019. Nairobi, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru and Kiambu counties accounted for most of the cases.