Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-25 21:00:00
The 47 counties are often praised for their role in nationwide development but they also have a darker side. They are infamous for being the main avenue through which public resources are looted. This is not a new story and the blatant theft of public funds has become legendary and may be worsening. This raises questions about the true intentions of leadership – whether it is to serve the people or to shamelessly enrich themselves.
A recent report by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has revealed that some governors and members of county assemblies elected in the August 9, 2022 General Election immediately set about achieving their selfish designs.
The audit report highlighted excessive spending on projects such as landscaping and beautification of buildings, sitting allowances, and unnecessary and extensive domestic and foreign travel that consumed billions in the first quarter of the 2022/23 financial year. County governments spent a total of Sh67.47 billion between July and September 2023, up from Sh54.82 billion.
During the same period, the County Assemblies spent a total of Sh312.98 million on sitting allowances, an increase of 249.2 percent compared to the previous year. Most of these millions spent cannot be fully accounted for.
Surprisingly, only Sh6.9 billion was spent on development projects by all the county governments, despite promises to improve health facilities and roads. Instead, huge sums were spent on foreign and domestic travel. Within the first three months, the MCAs had drawn Sh3 billion in travel allowances.
To ensure that the resources disbursed to the counties benefit the majority and are not used to enrich a few leaders and their cronies, the Senate oversight must be strengthened or overhauled. It is essential that these excesses are stopped for the counties to maintain their good standing in nationwide development.
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