Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has called for urgent action after the Auditor General flagged that roughly KSh 300 billion raised through government bonds cannot be traced.
The senator described the discrepancy as a serious governance concern that threatens public trust in financial management.
Omtatah said the unaccounted funds represent a challenge to the constitutional requirement for transparency in public finance.
“Articles 201 and 206 of the Constitution demand that every shilling borrowed on behalf of Kenyans be fully accounted for. Those responsible for any mismanagement must face personal liability,” he stated on X.
The senator stressed that public debt affects all Kenyans, both current and future generations, and insisted that mismanagement must not be normalized.
He indicated that he will pursue the matter in Parliament, through judicial channels, and in the public domain until clarity is provided.
Government bonds are key instruments used by the National Treasury and the Central Bank of Kenya to finance national projects and bridge fiscal gaps.
Omtatah’s remarks highlight longstanding concerns about transparency in debt management, a topic that has periodically emerged in parliamentary debates and public discourse, particularly during past audits that uncovered gaps in reconciling bond proceeds.
Civil society groups and opposition lawmakers have previously criticized weak oversight mechanisms, arguing that large-scale borrowing without clear reporting undermines confidence in public institutions.
Omtatah’s call for accountability aligns with these demands, emphasizing that Kenya is a constitutional democracy and not a private enterprise, and that legal frameworks must guide financial operations.
The senator’s statement also underscores the need for enhanced parliamentary oversight and stricter enforcement of financial regulations.