Members of Parliament have demanded clarity from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) over several audit concerns flagged in the Auditor-General’s reports for the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
During a session on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the Public Investment Committee on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), chaired by Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, reviewed the audit findings, raising concerns about governance, financial accountability, and human resource issues within the agency.
“The committee’s discussions focused on audit queries affecting state agencies, emphasising agriculture and human resource management,” a press release from the National Assembly dated July 2, 2025, reads.
Asset documentation
A central issue for the committee was the lack of documentation for assets related to cane testing units, prompting questions about the authority’s asset management practices.
In its response, AFA management stated that these assets had been capitalised during the 2022/2023 financial year and had been properly recorded in the asset register.
“They supported this clarification by presenting relevant documents to the committee,” the statement added.
The session also exposed troubling discrepancies between revenue from exchange transactions and figures displayed on the government’s e-Citizen platform.
“Management said they had written to the Principal Secretary at the National Treasury, requesting the release of funds to address this difference and align the records,” the statement noted.
Financial and governance issues
The committee further highlighted the dire situation facing state-owned sugar companies, with Chemilil Sugar Company, Muhoroni Sugar Company, and Nzoia Sugar Company being flagged as struggling with operational challenges.
“The committee raised concerns about unpaid salary arrears at Nzoia Sugar Company, highlighting the hardship this has caused employees who depend on timely wages,” the statement explained.
Additionally, the committee questioned AFA’s human resource governance.
During this discussion, the agency revealed that it had previously developed HR instruments in collaboration with the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC), but these documents were invalidated by a court ruling.
“Following the ruling, the authority has forwarded updated HR instruments to the Public Service Commission for review and approval,” the statement read.
Call for accountability
In his closing remarks, Amisi urged all public officers and agencies to embrace integrity and diligence in the management of public resources, underscoring the need for dedication, transparency, and accountability in managing public resources.
“Use all your energy for the benefit of the country and Kenyans at large,” he stated.
“The committee reaffirmed its commitment to effective oversight and pledged to keep engaging with institutions to close gaps identified by the Auditor-General,” the statement concluded.
