By Reporter
Questions have emerged over the collection and management of revenue by the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), particularly the revenue generated from parking, Tower Viewing services, events and other revenue-generating activities.
Nandi Senator Samson Cheragei is questioning the legal basis and transparency of a private revenue-collection and revenue-sharing arrangement entered into by KICC.
He said the arrangement raises concerns regarding compliance with Government requirements on the collection, processing and accountability of public revenue.
Sen. Cheragei now wants the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget to establish the legal basis, scope and approvals underpinning the arrangement.
He wants the committee to also look into the procurement process undertaken by KICC and the contractual and supporting documentation governing the engagement.
The Senator has further questioned why revenue collected by KICC under the arrangement was not processed through the eCitizen platform.
He also questioned whether the National Treasury authorised the operation of any parallel revenue-collection system.
The Senator wants the Committee to disclose the identity of the private entity involved and the terms of its engagement with KICC.
He also wants the Committee to disclose the payment platforms and accounts through which revenue was collected and remitted, as well as the safeguards in place to prevent under-declaration, unauthorised retention, diversion or loss of public funds.
Sen. Cheragei is also seeking a comprehensive account of revenue collected by KICC over the last five financial years from parking, Tower Viewing services, events and other revenue streams, disaggregated by source, and a comparison of revenue collected under the private arrangement with amounts processed through the eCitizen platform.
Further, the Senator wants the Committee to establish whether any discrepancies, revenue losses, delayed remittances or other financial irregularities have occurred since the commencement of the arrangement, the amounts involved and the corrective measures undertaken.
He has also called for information on Government entities that continue to collect revenue outside the eCitizen platform, and the measures being undertaken by the National Treasury to ensure that all public revenue is collected, accounted for and reconciled through approved Government revenue-collection systems.
