Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has endorsed a motion calling for the National Treasury to provide monthly financial transaction reports from the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) for all counties. The proposal aims to enhance Senate oversight and address financial irregularities within devolved governments.

Speaking during a Senate debate on July 30, 2026, on a motion sponsored by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, Osotsi emphasized the importance of real-time access to county expenditure data. He explained that senators currently depend on audit reports that are released months or even years later, limiting timely intervention.

Motion Details and Expected Impact

  • The motion requires the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury to submit monthly IFMIS transaction reports to the Senate Clerk for distribution to senators.
  • Senator Osotsi highlighted that many counties struggle with accumulating pending bills partly due to selective prioritization of payments by county officials.
  • He noted that some payments are delayed or voided within IFMIS, creating loopholes for manipulation and contributing to the growth of unpaid obligations.
  • With monthly reporting, senators would be able to identify which payments are not prioritized and investigate the reasons behind these delays.

Addressing Fund Diversion and Payment Disputes

  • Osotsi raised concerns over counties altering payment requests after Controller of Budget approval, substituting approved payments with unapproved ones.
  • He argued that regular IFMIS access would allow senators to detect and expose such fund diversion early, which is a criminal offence.
  • The reporting framework would also clarify disputes around delays in fund disbursement often attributed to the Controller of Budget or National Treasury.
  • Additionally, Osotsi pointed out issues with non-remittance of statutory deductions like taxes, SACCO contributions, and pensions, which transparency could help address.

Senator Osotsi concluded by underscoring the need for proactive oversight, lamenting that senators currently act as "morticians" who only react after the Auditor General's reports are published long after transactions occur.