A new report by the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o shows that counties spent Sh22.6 million per day on travel in the first three months of the current financial year.
In the three months, counties spent Sh3.55 billion on development against Sh49.2 billion on recurrent expenditure (see page 4).
In addition, the counties spent Sh433.81 million on MCAs’ sitting allowance.
During the period, the 47 counties generated Sh6.76 billion, which was 12 per cent of the annual target of Sh56.52 billion.
This at a time when they have huge pending bills and salary arrears. Counties currently owe suppliers and contractors Sh96 billion
Devolution was set up not to enrich individuals but to take key services from the centre to the grassroots.
However, year in, year out, reports by the CoB and the Auditor General paint not very rosy pictures of the expenditures at the devolved units. Not that the situation at the national level is any better.
Pilferage and living large by those entrusted by the public to run the counties on their behalf has left some counties worse off than before devolution.
Elections are coming in eight months and voters need to put each of their elected leaders under the microscope to see how they spend public funds.
Lest we forget, the national and county governments do not have their own money. It is our taxes that fuel their daily operations and so we must demand prudence and accountability in the use of public funds.
Quote of the Day: “The people who were trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?”
Bob Marley
A postage stamp of the reggae musician was issued in Jamaica on December 29, 1982
