According to a report by the Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang’o, some counties in Kenya spend as high as 70% of their budgets on salaries, wages and allowances . This revelation is a cause for concern, as it raises questions about the efficiency of county governments and their ability to deliver services to the people.
The report highlights the need for county governments to prioritize development projects and service delivery over salaries and allowances. It also underscores the importance of fiscal responsibility and accountability in the management of public funds.
The CoB’s report comes at a time when there is growing concern about the high cost of governance in Kenya. The government has been criticized for its bloated wage bill, which has been blamed for the country’s high debt levels and poor economic performance.
The Senate Finance and Budget Committee has a crucial role to play in ensuring that county governments are held accountable for their spending. It is important that they work closely with the CoB to ensure that county governments are using public funds in a responsible and efficient manner.
The CoB’s report also revealed that some counties are not utilizing their budgets effectively. For instance, some counties have failed to complete development projects that were allocated funds in previous budgets . This is a worrying trend, as it indicates a lack of accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
The Senate Finance and Budget Committee has a crucial role to play in ensuring that county governments are held accountable for their spending. It is important that they work closely with the CoB to ensure that county governments are using public funds in a responsible and efficient manner.
