Questionable payment vouchers amounting to millions raise eyebrows at Bomas of Kenya

The beleaguered national heritage facility, the Bomas of Kenya, one of the premier institutions best known to have preserved and promoted the diverse cultural values of various ethnic groups of in the country and a major tourist attraction is marred in questionable payments amounting to tens of millions.

In a serialised exposé by The Informer, Bomas of Kenya management and members of the board have been on the spotlight over allegations of tendering malpractices, financial irregularities and brazen embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office that has gone unabated.

Suspicious payout through vouchers that have raised eyebrows are the latest revelation in a litany of shady dealings at the state owned facility.

According to records seen by The Informer, the office the Finance Manager headed by Chief Accountant Nixon Mugilwa has been singled out in the alleged dubious payouts raised though vouchers.

Mugilwa could also not explain how money was drawn from the Bomas of Kenya account to pay air tickets for two ladies, both non-staff members who accompanied senior officials on a trip to Dubai in February this year.

In some instances, the payments are made through bankers’ cheques or Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) from the Bomas of Kenya bank account directly to the private accounts of the beneficiaries.

Some of the flagged expenditures include Sh201, 560 paid to Mugilwa as per diem for a supposed training he attended in Mombasa amid fears he never showed up.

While reached for comment, Mugilwa did not respond to our questions sent via mail and as short text message.

Others include expenses paid vide voucher NO. A3904 paid through Cheque No. 023947 of Sh187, 150 dated 25/06/202, voucher NO.A3902 paid through Cheque No.023945 of Sh139, 600 and voucher NO.A3888 paid through Cheque No.023942 of Sh263, 765.

Similarly, questions have been raised over authenticity of voucher NO.A3887 paid through Cheque No.023939 of Sh297, 680 and voucher NO.A3832 paid through Cheque No.023929 of Sh233, 000.

Last week, The Informer revealed how the Chief Executive Officer Peter Gitaa Koria raised a doubtful 68 days per diem claim amounting to Sh418, 200 for a seminar he attended only for a day in Mombasa.

Gitaa made the claim through voucher A3824 and payment made through cheque number 023926.

By then, he was serving as the Acting General Manager at Bomas of Kenya before his confirmation in November 2020.

The seminar was held mid-2020 to review the Finance and Accounts department in Mombasa.