The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has instituted investigations into suspected scandal at Huduma Centres over failure to remit Kes266.3 million collected from issuance of Certificate of Good Conduct.

Interior PS Karanja Kibicho on Monday said the ministry had written to the DCI to investigate the matter after it emerged Huduma Centres cannot account for the Sh266 million.

Appearing before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Kibicho said the money was part of the revenue collected by Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) at Huduma Centres across the country.

“We are dissatisfied with their services. The matter has since been handed to the DCI to conduct an investigation on the accumulated debt and institute legal action if necessary,” Kibicho said.

The PS regretted the situation has left the ministry in a dilemma because it cannot terminate the contract with Huduma Centres since such a move would paralyse service delivery to Kenyans.

According to Auditor General Edward Ouko’s report for the 2016/2017 financial year, Sh639.5 million was collected after 639,546 certificates were issued at an application fee of Sh1,000 each.

However, only Sh373.2 million was remitted to the ministry and the balance of Sh266.2 million cannot be accounted for. Sh373.2 million includes Sh55.1 million and Sh318.1 million surrendered by the DCI headquarters and DCI county offices respectively.

“The difference of the amount collected and recorded has not been explained,” Ouko stated in the report.