AAK wants probe into missing Sh12m, says audit report hidden for decade
BY BRIAN OTIENO @Yobramos4 Sunday, October 18, 2026
Members of the Architectural Association of Kenya are up in arms over a forensic audit report that they say was hidden from them for about a decade.
The forensic audit report, which was conducted in June and July of 2016, for a period of 30 days, and which only came to light in March this year, revealed malpractices that led to more than Sh12 million unaccounted for.
The association members now want the DCI to probe the matter and prosecute officials that are found culpable.
The AAK has around 5,513 members across three regional branches and eight professional chapters including architects, quantity surveyors, town planners, engineers, landscape architects, environmental design consultants, construction project managers, and interior designers.
The forensic audit covered the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 and examined income from members’ subscription, sale of documents, amounts paid by donors and sponsors, and petty cash utilization.
AAK Coast branch chair Dancan Odhiambo told the Star on Friday some of those who were in office during the period covered by the audit are still in office.
“The forensic audit report was allegedly withheld from the wider AAK membership, raising serious questions about transparency, accountability and governance within the Association,” Odhiambo said.
“Of even greater concern is the allegation that this report has subsequently been used as an instrument of influence and control within AAK, rather than as a basis for institutional accountability and corrective action.”
He said members of the AAK deserve full disclosure, transparency and accountability.
“No individual should be above scrutiny, and no institution should be held hostage by information that rightfully belongs to its membership,” Odhiambo said.
On March 14, the AAK Coast branch chair wrote the DCI over the matter seeking formal investigations.
“In 2016, a forensic audit report commissioned by AAK revealed that a total of Sh12,251,239 has been misappropriated. The funds in question largely comprised members’ subscriptions and proceeds from the sale of AAK publications and documents,” Odhiambo wrote in the letter addressed to the DCI director.
He said the audit report revealed that of the unaccounted for amount, Sh6.9 million related to the sale of documents, while Sh5.35 million was members’ subscription and entrance fees.
The report also said the largest share of the unaccounted for sum was in 2014, during which Sh6.11 million unaccounted for.
The unaccounted for amount of money in 2013 was Sh2.05 million, while that of 2015 was Sh4.09 million, according to the forensic audit report.
The report said the income had been received in cash and through M-Pesa.
Some of the M-Pesa payments were made to a phone number that was not the official AAK phone number through which monies were authorized to be channeled through.
The monies had neither been banked nor reflected in the management records.
The audit report indicated that some 50 receipt books were also missing, including 35 relating to 2013 and 15 relating to 2015.
Odhiambo said the forensic audit report recommended disciplinary action against those found responsible, investigation by law enforcement authorities and recovery of the misappropriated funds.
“However, 10 years later, these recommendations appear not to have been implemented.....and to the best of my knowledge, no formal criminal investigation or summons has been issued by the relevant authorities despite the seriousness of the findings contained in the report,” Odhiambo said in the letter to the DCI.
He further raised concern over an alleged payment of Sh40,000 made to officials in the Kenya Revenue Authority in order to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate.
“If true, this raises serious questions regarding possible corruption, institutional governance failures, and violations of Kenyan law.
“Given that the AAK represents professionals entrusted with shaping the built environment and upholding ethical standards in the country, such allegations of financial impropriety and corruption are deeply troubling and risk undermining public trust in the institution,” Odhiambo said.
According to a DCI officer from Nairobi, the matter was placed under investigation after Odhiambo wrote the letter to them.
It is, however, not clear where the probe has reached.
On Friday, Odhiambo said he will relentlessly pursue the matter until criminal culpability is established and appropriate action taken.
“We have to be an institution that is transparent, accountable and straight forward. If we allow such things to slide, then we cease to be the professionals we are and turn into criminals in disguise,” he said.
Ends...
Instant Analysis:
The forensic audit report recommended that AAK should urgently automate the process of receipting and eliminate the manual recording which is prone to fraud and manipulation. While the Association has invested in QuickBooks system the integrity of the source data is key in ensuring management of correct and reliable information for decision making.
PICs:AAK Coast branch chair Dancan Odhiambo in his office in Nyali, Mombasa / BRIAN OTIENO
