Embattled UNEP head refunds travel expenses

Erik Solheim, head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), who is under investigations for incurring multiple and unnecessary travel expenses, has admitted to refunding part of his travel expenses that auditors had flagged even as he insists he has committed no offence to warrant his exit.

Mr Solheim says in an email sent to UNEP staff that the audit of UN Environment travel processes is not an investigation.

His response came after the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) reported that it had unearthed massive wastage at UNEP, notably to interrogate the extensive travel by three senior managers that has resulted in total travel costs of Sh74 million.

“The Office of Internal Oversight Services earlier this year investigated all my travels in great detail and found three instances of oversight out of all of them. The money was refunded immediately. Better administrative control systems would have helped avoid these mistakes in the first place,” Mr Solheim said in an email seen by the Business Daily.

The Unep boss…